wadavis comments on Rationality Quotes April 2014 - LessWrong

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

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Comment author: wadavis 15 April 2014 11:08:26PM *  8 points [-]

'There is of course the question of public safety,' said Vetinari. 'Did I hear you say earlier you have blown up... "one or three" I think was the phrase?"

'I made those explode a-purpose, to see exactly how it 'appened. That's the way to get knowledge, you see, sir.'

Raising Steam, Terry Pratchett

Regarding the first steam engine in Pratchett's fictional world.

Comment author: gwern 02 May 2014 11:15:06PM 1 point [-]
Comment author: Baughn 29 April 2014 06:13:54PM *  0 points [-]

This quote made me read the book, and I wasn't disappointed.

The overall arc of the Discworld is stunning; in retrospect, it recapitulates the rise of civilization well. Raising Steam is perhaps not the last book, but it wouldn't be a bad place to stop if it were.