3 ms·

Law is probably an irreducibly complex (NP hard) problem; and a simple solution is most likely naive.

jheriko 13y ago
i dunno. i think this is a problematic perception, and one of the great achievements of modern politics - to make people believe there is a real challenge there - and not a well understood one which is the primary function of government. in essence i feel they convince us that they have a good reason to not do their jobs - they can do this because they are great sales people - which makes sense because we select them by popularity contest. remove patents is a simple solution for instance, its not hard to implement either and it will save running costs etc. the consequences might be complex... i'd like to think it would just help everyone. its not like, e.g. legalising marijuana where you need to think about previous convictions. you really could just invalidate every patent overnight.
userulluipeste 13y ago
I am not convinced neither of your assumption about law irreducibility, nor of the seriousness of your conclusion. The law is in itself a solution to society's demands, each of which can have a more or less justified base. It just so happens that the current law system become exposed to abuse (along with the lack of proper maintenance that should have kept it simple and accessible). The article successfully exposes a blatant legal loophole and its exploits, with concrete examples (with consequences that were later felt in a way or another by all of us). Its a shame to just dismiss it, especially with such a vague stance like yours.
- etanazir 13y ago
  I don't dismiss the fact that the law is imperfect, but assert the fact that among all possible laws, the simple suggestion will probably still be imperfect.
lukev 13y ago
Please don't use precise computer science terminology to describe social problems unless you also plan on providing a precise model describing the said problem in mathematical terms. Otherwise, you're co-opting language about things that are precise and provable to make your subjective point. </rant>
- etanazir 13y ago
  Prove P = NP, or is it P != NP? Just write an array of the ways a law may be written.

i dunno. i think this is a problematic perception, and one of the great achievements of modern politics - to make people believe there is a real challenge there - and not a well understood one which is the primary function of government. in essence i feel they convince us that they have a good reason to not do their jobs - they can do this because they are great sales people - which makes sense because we select them by popularity contest. remove patents is a simple solution for instance, its not hard to implement either and it will save running costs etc. the consequences might be complex... i'd like to think it would just help everyone. its not like, e.g. legalising marijuana where you need to think about previous convictions. you really could just invalidate every patent overnight.

userulluipeste 13y ago

I am not convinced neither of your assumption about law irreducibility, nor of the seriousness of your conclusion. The law is in itself a solution to society's demands, each of which can have a more or less justified base. It just so happens that the current law system become exposed to abuse (along with the lack of proper maintenance that should have kept it simple and accessible). The article successfully exposes a blatant legal loophole and its exploits, with concrete examples (with consequences that were later felt in a way or another by all of us). Its a shame to just dismiss it, especially with such a vague stance like yours.

etanazir 13y ago
I don't dismiss the fact that the law is imperfect, but assert the fact that among all possible laws, the simple suggestion will probably still be imperfect.

lukev 13y ago

Please don't use precise computer science terminology to describe social problems unless you also plan on providing a precise model describing the said problem in mathematical terms. Otherwise, you're co-opting language about things that are precise and provable to make your subjective point. </rant>

etanazir 13y ago
Prove P = NP, or is it P != NP? Just write an array of the ways a law may be written.