I don’t think it’s a test for orthodoxy. Take the quote: “To see is to forget the name of the thing one sees.” ― Paul Valéry with 13 upvotes while I write it.
The position that gets articulated in that quote isn’t orthodox on LessWrong. There are a bunch of quotes that are interesting instead of just making an orthodox point.
I didn’t claim that it’s irrational. I claim that it’s not orthodox rationality.
Take a quote that makes a more orthodox point:
“The social sciences are largely hokum.”—Sheldon Cooper
That quote is voted −2. That quote makes a point in which many members of the community believe but it doesn’t make that point in a way that’s interesting.
I think your original quote is rational, as this community defines the term. I think the Big Bang Theory quote is not rational—in part because of denotative implications.
I think Jabberslythe is probably right when he says the purpose is celebrating in-group feelings. I’m not sure I approve of that purpose.
I don’t think it’s a test for orthodoxy. Take the quote: “To see is to forget the name of the thing one sees.” ― Paul Valéry with 13 upvotes while I write it.
The position that gets articulated in that quote isn’t orthodox on LessWrong. There are a bunch of quotes that are interesting instead of just making an orthodox point.
I don’t think that quote is irrational, for basically the reasons TheOtherDave said.
I didn’t claim that it’s irrational. I claim that it’s not orthodox rationality.
Take a quote that makes a more orthodox point: “The social sciences are largely hokum.”—Sheldon Cooper
That quote is voted −2. That quote makes a point in which many members of the community believe but it doesn’t make that point in a way that’s interesting.
I think your original quote is rational, as this community defines the term. I think the Big Bang Theory quote is not rational—in part because of denotative implications.
I think Jabberslythe is probably right when he says the purpose is celebrating in-group feelings. I’m not sure I approve of that purpose.