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Viliam_Bur comments on Clarification: Behaviourism & Reinforcement - Less Wrong Discussion

7 Post author: Zaine 10 October 2012 05:30AM

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Comment author: Viliam_Bur 10 October 2012 08:43:09AM 0 points [-]

I'm very curious in whether the original order was indeed preferable.

For a long text it probably would be. It probably also depends on what exactly is included in the summary: the question you are going to answer, or also the answer to the question? In other words, does the "summary" contain spoilers? But even then, some people prefer spoilers (because that saves time), and some people prefer to read text without spoilers (because they have the time, and want to think about the problem first).

Perhaps the best solution would be: A short question at the beginning, with an information that the answer is at the end. Then, the text body. A short answer at the end. (Just my opinion.)

Comment author: Zaine 10 October 2012 08:56:23AM *  0 points [-]

I tried shortening the summary, but ended up breaking down the second sentence into a subordinate clause of the first; hopefully it makes the summary appear shorter, despite the unchanged length.

I also added a horizontal rule so those who wish to go right into the meat of things can dismiss what's above the rule without missing content.