You're looking at Less Wrong's discussion board. This includes all posts, including those that haven't been promoted to the front page yet. For more information, see About Less Wrong.

Lumifer comments on How I infiltrated the Raëlians (and was hugged by their leader) - Less Wrong Discussion

15 Post author: SquirrelInHell 16 March 2016 05:45AM

You are viewing a comment permalink. View the original post to see all comments and the full post content.

Comments (32)

You are viewing a single comment's thread. Show more comments above.

Comment author: Lumifer 17 March 2016 02:53:20PM 1 point [-]

I don't think humor is in general a good defense for writing misleading headlines.

Humor is not a defense, but a good idea. The headline is misleading only to people who can't parse language properly.

Comment author: buybuydandavis 18 March 2016 03:20:56AM *  0 points [-]

I doubt that too many people felt they were "misled" by the headline. I think most people got the joke.

I was trying to come up with a literary term for the device used. It seems like it's a thing.

Someone pointed out "dysphemism" as a term to me here. But that wasn't right. Just a little hyperbole for dramatic effect? For contrast with the hug?

Comment author: Lumifer 18 March 2016 02:57:25PM 2 points [-]

I think of it as a "wink". It's not quite hyperbole, but, let's say, a literary device that sets the mood and expectations. Basically it says "I'm not being entirely serious here".