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DanArmak comments on Seeking examples of people smarter than me who got hung up - Less Wrong Discussion

10 Post author: MichaelBishop 13 January 2013 04:40PM

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Comment author: DanArmak 14 January 2013 12:32:53PM 4 points [-]

I feel it worth pointing out that this is a very poor name. It's not a disease that infects Nobelists - perhaps it even infects them less than others. RationalWiki agrees, saying:

In reality, this "disease" most likely demonstrates that even the most brilliant people are not immune to crank ideas and belief in such ideas will persist to some degree even among Nobelists

Also, in their list, two people are accused of supporting "eugenics". While a popular boo light, there's nothing unscientific or false about the basic proposition that deliberate breeding of humans can reinforce many specific positive traits, and reduce the occurrence of many specific negative ones. It's especially effective for combatting classic recessive disorders like sickle-cell anemia.

Comment author: David_Gerard 14 January 2013 04:58:25PM 0 points [-]

I'd guess the article name came from the blog post referenced below.

Comment author: DanArmak 14 January 2013 06:48:17PM 0 points [-]

That post refers to the name as an existing one, though.