4 ms·

Because they're best at lying? Just an idea.

by finishingmove 13y ago

finishingmove 13y ago
Downvoted because?
- seszett 13y ago
  Probably because this was a gratuitous accusation that seems to completely ignore the contents of the article
  - finishingmove 13y ago
    Was it though?
    - mason240 13y ago
      Yes.
- finishingmove 13y ago
  Still curious. Go ahead, humour me.
  - hugofirth 13y ago
    Making inflammatory comments with no supporting material, reasoning or other form of exposition does nothing to inform or encourage useful discourse. Even if you had a point (I'm not claiming anything one way or the other) that point is poorly served by a flippant passing comment. Why would being a wealthy country make someone more adept at misleading their populace? If they were, what would be the benefit? As a PhD student doing research in data analysis, I support governments being open with data whole heartedly. UK government schemes like this [1] are invaluable. [1]: http://data.gov.uk/ http://data.gov.uk/
    - mildtrepidation 13y ago
      Well put. I'm definitely a "never assume the government is telling the truth" person, but even if finishingmove were right in this case (I don't think the idea that wealthy governments release false data explicitly for the purpose of misleading people when they could just not release it is compelling, but hey, they've probably done stranger things), the GP hasn't even hinted at context or support for such a statement here.
      - finishingmove 13y ago
        "I don't think the idea that wealthy governments release false data explicitly for the purpose of misleading people when they could just not release it is compelling" Do you often find yourself taken by surprise?
    - finishingmove 13y ago
      in·flam·ma·to·ry 1. Arousing passion or strong emotion, especially anger, belligerence, or desire. My comment was definitely not inflammatory in nature. Being the author of my comment, I'm pretty sure I have higher authority than you to be the judge of this. It was meant to be thought-provoking, in a very casual way. But that doesn't seem to be appreciated on HN (my general impression) Hint: don't take everything so seriously. "Why would being a wealthy country make someone more adept at misleading their populace? If they were, what would be the benefit? As a PhD student..." A wise man once said (can't remember where the quote originates from), "The purpose of doing a PhD is learning how to learn" (paraphrased). I hope that the experience will help you answer your own questions, in a few years. For now, just use your imagination...
      - hugofirth 13y ago
        You asked. I answered. Arguing that, as the author of your comment, you are more capable of judging how inflammatory it is than the comment's readers is a logical fallacy. How inflammatory something is would be entirely dependent on how it is received by its audience. Furthermore, responding to my questions by patronisingly telling me to "use my imagination" conveniently avoids those questions. Hint: DBAD ;)
- finishingmove 13y ago
  The responses I got here pretty much confirm my thoughts that HN is mostly inhabited by people who are either angry, too serious, or a combination of the two. I deal with all kinds of people, but this is bad for your health, folks! :)

Because they're best at lying? Just an idea.

finishingmove 13y ago

Downvoted because?

seszett 13y ago
Probably because this was a gratuitous accusation that seems to completely ignore the contents of the article
- finishingmove 13y ago
  Was it though?
  - mason240 13y ago
    Yes.
finishingmove 13y ago
Still curious. Go ahead, humour me.
- hugofirth 13y ago
  Making inflammatory comments with no supporting material, reasoning or other form of exposition does nothing to inform or encourage useful discourse. Even if you had a point (I'm not claiming anything one way or the other) that point is poorly served by a flippant passing comment. Why would being a wealthy country make someone more adept at misleading their populace? If they were, what would be the benefit? As a PhD student doing research in data analysis, I support governments being open with data whole heartedly. UK government schemes like this [1] are invaluable. [1]: http://data.gov.uk/ http://data.gov.uk/
  - mildtrepidation 13y ago
    Well put. I'm definitely a "never assume the government is telling the truth" person, but even if finishingmove were right in this case (I don't think the idea that wealthy governments release false data explicitly for the purpose of misleading people when they could just not release it is compelling, but hey, they've probably done stranger things), the GP hasn't even hinted at context or support for such a statement here.
    - finishingmove 13y ago
      "I don't think the idea that wealthy governments release false data explicitly for the purpose of misleading people when they could just not release it is compelling" Do you often find yourself taken by surprise?
  - finishingmove 13y ago
    in·flam·ma·to·ry 1. Arousing passion or strong emotion, especially anger, belligerence, or desire. My comment was definitely not inflammatory in nature. Being the author of my comment, I'm pretty sure I have higher authority than you to be the judge of this. It was meant to be thought-provoking, in a very casual way. But that doesn't seem to be appreciated on HN (my general impression) Hint: don't take everything so seriously. "Why would being a wealthy country make someone more adept at misleading their populace? If they were, what would be the benefit? As a PhD student..." A wise man once said (can't remember where the quote originates from), "The purpose of doing a PhD is learning how to learn" (paraphrased). I hope that the experience will help you answer your own questions, in a few years. For now, just use your imagination...
    - hugofirth 13y ago
      You asked. I answered. Arguing that, as the author of your comment, you are more capable of judging how inflammatory it is than the comment's readers is a logical fallacy. How inflammatory something is would be entirely dependent on how it is received by its audience. Furthermore, responding to my questions by patronisingly telling me to "use my imagination" conveniently avoids those questions. Hint: DBAD ;)
finishingmove 13y ago
The responses I got here pretty much confirm my thoughts that HN is mostly inhabited by people who are either angry, too serious, or a combination of the two. I deal with all kinds of people, but this is bad for your health, folks! :)