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Sheaman3773 comments on Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality discussion thread, March 2015, chapter 116 - Less Wrong Discussion

4 Post author: Gondolinian 04 March 2015 08:11PM

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Comment author: Sheaman3773 04 March 2015 08:35:09PM 13 points [-]

Well, that's certainly one way to explain away all of the strange aspects. Establish them as fact, through the mysterious bond between LV and HP, and do so in front of a huge crowd so that the word can spread and mutate on its own. By the time anyone comes to investigate or question, they will already be influenced by the show or rumors they've heard, promoting that hypothesis to their attention rather than coming to it naturally.

It's pointing the police at Mortimer Snodgrass, from chapter 17, as it were.

Comment author: lerjj 04 March 2015 09:57:17PM 2 points [-]

It's actually the same tactic as the Weasley twins used to cover the "engaged to Ginever Weasley" story- plant so many make newspaper reports that everyone gets confused. And it kinda happens again after the Hermione/Draco incident. Guess Eliezer like the theme of people not being able to discern the truth from wild rumours if the truth's weird enough.

Comment author: Eliezer_Yudkowsky 05 March 2015 05:47:40AM 12 points [-]

Oh, trust me, they can't discern the truth from wild rumors even if it's normal. (I am speaking of real life, here.)

Comment author: Duncan 05 March 2015 02:30:51PM 10 points [-]

To be fair, it's really hard to figure out WTF is going on when humans are involved. Their reasoning is the result of multiple motivations and a vast array of potential reasoning errors. If you don't believe me try the following board games with your friends: Avalon, Coup, Sheriff of Nottingham, Battlestar Galactica, or any that involve secrets and lying.

Comment author: Transfuturist 07 March 2015 10:39:02PM 0 points [-]

There's a Battlestar Galactica board game? :D

Comment author: Duncan 08 March 2015 03:14:04AM 1 point [-]
Comment author: Dorikka 10 March 2015 12:42:28AM 0 points [-]

Mmhmm. I find it quite fun, despite having no familiarity with the show.