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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon%27s_law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon%27s_law This law seems to lack any kind of rigor or theoretical basis and
by petermcneeley 5y ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon%27s_law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon%27s_law
This law seems to lack any kind of rigor or theoretical basis and seems like a purely rhetorical device.
- ysavir 5y agoAs are most of these "laws". The idea isn't to do a conclusive, thorough examination of all things under the sun and render a statement that reflects that particular moment in time. The idea is to make an observation--perhaps true, perhaps false--that helps us maintain a healthy mindset when examining and comprehending things. It's not meant to be insightful, it's meant to encourage us to strive for better insight.
- vickspicks 5y ago90% of laws are bad
- blueboo 5y agoOK, but let’s be clear: it’s not rational. It’s “thoughts and prayers” for the Star Slate Codex set.
- ysavir 5y agoI think that's less a reflection of the "law" and more a reflection of how you're trying to apply the law.
- boringg 5y agoSeems like an empirical approach to addressing this would be more effective. Otherwise it's just a gut feeling. I am not saying its wrong its just lacking in verifiable information.
- majormajor 5y agoIt's purely rhetorical but - the specific 90% figure aside - it's fairly straightforward that not everyone can be the best. Everything else is just figuring out what sort of distribution you have. In many fields the definition of "crap" depends, after all, on what the rest of the field's output looks like.
- Enginerrrd 5y agoIt sounds like a manifestation of the pareto principle. I would in no way be surprised to see scientific advancement follow a power law distribution among contributors where the top 5-10% produce more and better science than the bottom 90% combined. There's all kinds of reasons to expect that too... Everything from funding, likely collaboration partners, talent, etc. That would give it some theoretical basis.
- dredmorbius 5y ago90% of Sturgeon's Law is crap.
- quantified 5y ago90% of published laws are BS. It’s not quite the Liar’s Paradox, I think Sturgeon’s fits into the other 10%.