wedrifid comments on Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality discussion thread, part 23, chapter 94

wedrifid 9 Jul 2013 8:45 UTC
9 points

Thankfully, EY confirmed on facebook that this is a stupid theory, except that he used a nicer wording.

If for a value of ‘nicer’ for which “very clever” means “stupid”.
- Tenoke 9 Jul 2013 22:33 UTC
  0 points
  Parent
  You don’t think that saying ‘very clever’ is nicer than saying ‘stupid’?
  - linkhyrule5 10 Jul 2013 2:01 UTC
    5 points
    Parent
    I think it has completely opposing informational content.
  - wedrifid 10 Jul 2013 5:40 UTC
    2 points
    Parent
    
    You don’t think that saying ‘very clever’ is nicer than saying ‘stupid’?
    
    Yes. One could reach ‘very clever’ from ‘stupid’ either by adding a large amount of niceness or multiplying by a negative. Or, if ‘very clever’ is supposed to convey the meaning ‘stupid’ then one actually has to subtract niceness and add sarcasm or condescension.