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I get the instant replay analogy, but I have a problem with a bug in their software impacting the results of the competition. I work in software, so I get livin

by __mtb__ 13y ago

I get the instant replay analogy, but I have a problem with a bug in their software impacting the results of the competition. I work in software, so I get living with bugs and understanding they are always going to be there. But I am unhappy that Kaggle/GE announced the winners via press release at the same the rest of the competition field was notified. It makes it impossible for a competitor to dispute the final results. From the response I have received from Kaggle/GE I get the impression, under no circumstances what so ever would they go back and change the published results of this competition.

brudgers 13y ago
>"It makes it impossible for a competitor to dispute the final results." Yes. That's the purpose. The teleology of gamified competition is toward declaring a winner. The rules are structured with that in mind. Those rules are different from the marketplace where protesting and litigation are allowed and consequently, declared winners are simply a matter of opinion, not fact. Accepting mistakes as part of the game is sportsmanship. And it was a game. Best to move on to the next one: http://www.kaggle.com/competitions http://www.kaggle.com/competitions
- __mtb__ 13y ago
  >'... declared winners are simply a matter of opinion, not fact' I certainly agree with that part of your statement. I have a hard time thinking about moving on to a new competition, this one has left such a bad taste in my mouth. Maybe time will change my mind, but certainly not happening any time soon.
  - brudgers 13y ago
    I understand where you are coming from. A bit of my background - I referee futbol (or as we call it, soccer). Every game, I try to give my best performance to the players. Sometimes, I make bad calls. The score is still the score. Obviously, you're pretty damn good. Your competitors deserve to compete against you. Cheating is unfair. Mistakes aren't. Play long enough and it all evens out. At least statistically. Good luck.

by __mtb__ 13y ago

brudgers 13y ago

>"It makes it impossible for a competitor to dispute the final results." Yes. That's the purpose. The teleology of gamified competition is toward declaring a winner. The rules are structured with that in mind. Those rules are different from the marketplace where protesting and litigation are allowed and consequently, declared winners are simply a matter of opinion, not fact. Accepting mistakes as part of the game is sportsmanship. And it was a game. Best to move on to the next one: http://www.kaggle.com/competitions http://www.kaggle.com/competitions

__mtb__ 13y ago
>'... declared winners are simply a matter of opinion, not fact' I certainly agree with that part of your statement. I have a hard time thinking about moving on to a new competition, this one has left such a bad taste in my mouth. Maybe time will change my mind, but certainly not happening any time soon.
- brudgers 13y ago
  I understand where you are coming from. A bit of my background - I referee futbol (or as we call it, soccer). Every game, I try to give my best performance to the players. Sometimes, I make bad calls. The score is still the score. Obviously, you're pretty damn good. Your competitors deserve to compete against you. Cheating is unfair. Mistakes aren't. Play long enough and it all evens out. At least statistically. Good luck.