3 ms·

Poor correlation comparing physical material to computer technology

• idiotsecant 5mo ago
  Why
  • datsci_est_2015 5mo ago
    Let me just quickly use absurdism to illustrate why argument by analogy is weak (and unfortunately overused on HN): “”” Humanity has been using celibacy for over a millenia, however it's only in the past 100 years or so we have a good understanding of not having sex affects the psychology of a person, turning them into an ubermensch. Based on this argument, we should have never stopped having sex, until we had a complete first principles understanding. “”” Analogies can produce a lot of words, making it appear to be a high effort comment, but it also shifts the argument to why or why not an analogy is good or not, and away from the points the original poster was trying to make. And, by Sturgeon’s Law, most analogies are utter crap on top of being an already weak way to form an argument.
    • salad-tycoon 5mo ago
      In my life I’ve come across a few people who are really good at making analogies and it’s wonderful and makes mine look like a child’s scribble next to a Monet. In fact, I think analogies are some of the most powerful rhetorical devices and, unsurprisingly, one of the most difficult to master. Look at some of the all time, almost supernaturally skilled, analogists: Jesus, Plato, Buddha, Aesop, Socrates. Their analogies will be eternal. Now that said, we aren’t always seeing quite that level of skill often here on HN (or anywhere) but when you see a great analogy, it’s like…[scratch that, I’m resisting the urge to force an analogy here].
      • datsci_est_2015 5mo ago
        I would tend to agree that the list of effective analogies is so small that the orators who muttered them are celebrated for millennia.
  • ashtonshears 5mo ago
    Computer technology has many significant unique factors compared to other technologies