Nisan comments on Rationality Quotes April 2014 - LessWrong

8 Post author: elharo 07 April 2014 05:25PM

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Comment author: Benito 01 April 2014 07:35:28PM *  23 points [-]

Trying to actually understand what equations describe is something I'm always trying to do in school, but I find my teachers positively trained in the art of superficiality and dark-side teaching. Allow me to share two actual conversations with my Maths and Physics teachers from school.:

(Teacher derives an equation, then suddenly makes it into an iterative formula, with no explanation of why)

Me: Woah, why has it suddenly become an iterative formula? What's that got to do with anything?

Teacher: Well, do you agree with the equation when it's not an iterative formula?

Me: Yes.

Teacher: And how about if I make it an iterative formula?

Me: But why do you do that?

Friend: Oh, I see.

Me: Do you see why it works?

Friend: Yes. Well, no. But I see it gets the right answer.

Me: But sir, can you explain why it gets the right answer?

Teacher: Ooh Ben, you're asking one of your tough questions again.

(Physics class)

Me: Can you explain that sir?

Teacher: Look, Ben, sometimesnot understanding things is a good thing.

And yet to most people, I can't even vent the ridiculousness of a teacher actually saying this; they just think it's the norm!

Comment author: Nisan 03 April 2014 08:07:30PM 4 points [-]

Teacher: Look, Ben, something not understanding things is a good thing.

Ahem:

"Headmaster! " said Professor Quirrell, sounding genuinely shocked. "Mr. Potter has told you that this spell is not spoken of with those who cannot cast it! You do not press a wizard on such matters!"

Comment author: Benito 03 April 2014 08:16:52PM 2 points [-]

Amusing, although I'll point out that there are some subtle difference between a physics classroom and the MOR!universe. Or at least, I think there are...

Comment author: Nisan 03 April 2014 08:42:22PM 23 points [-]

I will only say that when I was a physics major, there were negative course numbers in some copies of the course catalog. And the students who, it was rumored, attended those classes were... somewhat off, ever after.

And concerning how I got my math PhD, and the price I paid for it, and the reason I left the world of pure math research afterwards, I will say not one word.

Comment author: Nornagest 03 April 2014 08:56:10PM 4 points [-]

Were there tentacles involved? Strange ethereal piping? Anything rugose or cyclopean in character?

Comment author: gwern 03 April 2014 09:54:23PM 29 points [-]

I think we can safely say there were non-Euclidean geometries involved.

Comment author: IlyaShpitser 04 April 2014 06:13:43PM 3 points [-]

Were there also course numbers with a non-zero complex part?

Comment author: [deleted] 06 April 2014 01:40:32PM *  2 points [-]

For every EY quote, there exists an equal and opposite ~~EY~~ PC Hodgell quote:

That which can be destroyed by the truth should be.

Comment author: philh 07 April 2014 12:29:23AM 1 point [-]

(That was P.C. Hodgell, not EY.)

Comment author: [deleted] 07 April 2014 07:55:52AM -1 points [-]

Good point, I'll correct it.

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