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"To mistake a binary digit for a bit is a category error. In this case, the category error is not as bad as mistaking marzipan for justice, but it is analogous
by mcguire 5y ago
"To mistake a binary digit for a bit is a category error. In this case, the category error is not as bad as mistaking marzipan for justice, but it is analogous to mistaking a pint-sized bottle for a pint of milk."
That's well put.
- amw-zero 5y agoBut I thought a bit is a binary digit? What does this quote mean?
- nayuki 5y agoThe next sentence in the paper says: "Just as a bottle can contain between zero and one pint, so a binary digit (when averaged over both of its possible states) can convey between zero and one bit of information."
- mcguire 5y agoThese definitions are for information theory. A "binary digit" is either a zero or a one. It's a specific value. A "bit" is an amount of information: a container that can hold a binary digit.
- gugagore 5y agoThat may very well be the definition. People certainly do say e.g. "... a 0 bit followed by a 1 bit ...", however.
- ibatindev 5y agoExcuse me, english isn't my first language and I can't find the meaning of "mistaking marzipan for justice". Would you enlighten me?
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- 2038AD 5y agoIt's not an idiom but a literal statement about how incomparable marzipan and justice is