4 ms·
The fact that some geniuses were laughed at does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses. They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laug
by zem 9y ago
The fact that some geniuses were laughed at does not imply that all who are laughed at are geniuses. They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
-- Carl Sagan, "Broca's Brain"
- wrinkl3 9y agoI think what he's saying that if Kolmogorov was cautious enough to keep his unpopular opinions to himself, so can you.
- zem 9y agoyeah, but he was very clearly casting the whole thing as an "emperor's new clothes" situation with the implication that the unpopular opinions were self-evidently true but unmentionable.
- Piskvorrr 9y agoThat there exist unpopular opinions etc.; in other words, mathematical implication, not equivalence. From this, it doesn't follow that any unpopular opinion is etc.: I think that the existence of {unpopular and {false and/or mentionable}} opinions is also evident.
- wrinkl3 9y agoHe's not saying that any unpopular opinion is self-evidently true if people oppose it with such zeal. He's saying that there exist self-evidently true opinions that will be treated that way, and if you harbor one of those you should choose the Kolmogorov option. How do you know you're harboring one of those? The evidence will support it.
- Ar-Curunir 9y agoBut the pre-requisite to this advice is that your belief should have a modicum of truth to it.
- wrinkl3 9y agoAnd do you think anyone hold beliefs they don't consider truthful?