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If it is no better, then the person who thinks it is better benefits from it. If it is better, then the person who thinks it is better benefits from it. If it
by elwell 12y ago
If it is no better, then the person who thinks it is better benefits from it.
If it is better, then the person who thinks it is better benefits from it.
If it is no better, then the person who thinks it is no better doesn't benefit from it.
If it is better, then the person who thinks it is no better doesn't benefit from it.
If the objective is subjective benefit, then placebo is a benefit; assuming your bank account is large enough and you don't care to give your money to someone who really needs it.
Edit: An answer to this is the Carl Sagan quote at the end of the article:
"For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring."
Of course, it isn't really possible to not 'persist in delusion'. One can try, but he won't know if by trying he is perpetuating a grander delusion.
- onion2k 12y agoIf it is no better, then the person who thinks it is better benefits from it. Only if everything else is equal. It's rare that's no downside to the benefit - for example, something costing more because it's "better".
- Nursie 12y agoDid you read the article? He explores (and technically explains) how higher sampling rates can actually be much worse due to equipment.
- elwell 12y agoI should add the combination: If it is worse, then the person who thinks it is better benefits from it. If it is worse, then the person who thinks it is worse loses value with it.