English Language & Usage: Multi-Layered Discourse Room

Cerberus

00:00

@Vit: Well, I am not so 100% convinced that rationality works as well as we sometimes think it does. The human mind is by no means infallible: I think even we are often deluding ourselves with impeccable reasonings.

Consider the three-doors puzzle. After having discussed and thought about it for years, I was absolutely certain that it didn't matter which door one choses; and yet it does, as the Wikipedia article explains...

Monty Hall problem

The Monty Hall problem is a probability puzzle based on the American television game show Let's Make a Deal that was originally hosted by Monty Hall. The problem, also called the Monty Hall paradox, is a veridical paradox in that the result appears odd but is demonstrably true. The Monty Hall problem, in its usual interpretation, is mathematically equivalent to the earlier Three Prisoners problem, and both bear some similarity to the much older Bertrand's box paradox. The problem was originally posed in a letter by Steve Selvin to the American Statistician in 1975. A well-known state...

@Vit: But I agree that it is odd for a believer to post on that site; and I hope he will reply to the comments...

Vitaly

@Cerberus It's a basic requirement of LW-style rationality to correct for cognitive biases you know you have. There are known cognitive biases (described on Wikipedia) that affect your probability estimates (in re: Monty Hall).

MikeVaughan

The monty hall problem wins me money. :D

Cerberus

@Vit: There are also unknown cognitive biases.

@Mike: Really? That is actually not a bad idea...

MikeVaughan

Mmhm..

Vitaly

@Cerberus There is also a known known that cognitive biases exist and some of them are unknown. That affects a rationalist's compensation for cognitive biases just as well.

MikeVaughan

00:07

I'm also a card trick enthusiast, so, 3 Card Monty's are fun. :D

Wow, That LessWrong.com site is awesome.

Thanks, whoever linked to it.

Cerberus

@Vit: I basically think that it is not all all possible for us to know how much we don't know, and to what extent the unknown is affecting our thinking. All we have is our poor brains to apply models to whatever our senses pass on to us...

Vitaly

You are welcome. @MikeVaughan

@MikeVaughan Here is another link for you: fanfiction.net/s/5782108/1/… That fan-fic is being written by Eliezer Yudkowsky, the founder of LessWrong.

MikeVaughan

Cool. What's it about?

Vitaly

Umm. That's Eliezer's attempt to put some LW notions of rationality into the form of Harry Potter fan fiction (with a view to raising the sanity waterline among a large audience). It's kinda difficult to describe what it's about in two words.

MikeVaughan

I'm intrigued.

I'll read a few chapters and see if I like it.

Vitaly

00:21

Yeah, that's what he says at the start actually (“If you still don't like it after Chapter 10, give up”).

As for LessWrong itself, the best place to start reading it is the Sequences.

MikeVaughan

I'm not gonna read it right now. I'm a little inebriated.

I was already looking at the Sequences. I skipped to Zombies. hah

Vitaly

Nice. :D

MikeVaughan

I found an iPhone at the mall today.

I'm gonna sell it.

Cerberus

00:41

@Mike: Why don't you browse its phonebook and call "home", or the last dialled number?

I'm sure you'd like to have it back if it were your phone...

MikeVaughan

Well, when I found it, It was already Hardware reset.

Which means it had no contacts.

And it's brand new, like obviously just out of the box, new.

So, I think it's an unactivated one.

Which means that the only thing I could have done was give it to the Lost and Found people, but the mall didn't have one.

So.. I have decided that it was just meant to be mine. Haha

Cerberus

Oh, ok, that's different.

MikeVaughan

Also, does anyone know what MrHen's gravatar is?

Cerberus

And there was no SIM card in it?

I have no idea!

MikeVaughan

iPhones dont have SIM cards, do they?

Cerberus

00:48

They do here, as far as I know?

MikeVaughan

Are they internal?

Cerberus

@Mike: If there is no card in it, or it doesn't lead you to a person, I say keep the phone!

MikeVaughan

I didn't even notice that slot existed.

Cerberus

I have never used anything Apple...

MikeVaughan

I don't like Apple

Vitaly

00:52

Oh come on @Cerberus. There is a lot to try before giving up: checking it for fingerprints, performing a DNA analysis if there is anything left of the original owner, etc, etc.

Cerberus

@Vit: I am an atheist. I have no morals.

I hates apples and morals!

Vitaly

Hah!

Cerberus

To be quite honest, I think many self-proclaimed rationalists aren't sceptical enough of their own methods. Some exhibit a certain naïve, 18th-century belief in the virtues of empiricism and "facts" that I find unconvincing.

Vitaly

Apr 17 at 21:50, by Vitaly

Also, they are promoting undiscriminating skepticism. For that reason, I wouldn't be very sad if that particular SE fails.

Quoted for the link. ;)

On a completely unrelated but on-topic note, I really want to see how the OED's etymologists work.

Cerberus

They probably consult what etymological dictionaries they have, and do extensive textual research themselves as well.

Vitaly

00:59

That textual research part is what I want to see.

MikeVaughan

So, an UPDATE.

After some prying, due to poor design.

No SIM card.

Vitaly

8 mins ago, by Vitaly

Oh come on @Cerberus. There is a lot to try before giving up: checking it for fingerprints, performing a DNA analysis if there is anything left of the original owner, etc, etc.

Cerberus

@Vit: I think your undiscriminating skepticism is an important thing to keep in mind; but I was thinking of more advanced rationalists, who would at least not make mistakes as stupid as that. But they are still often not rigorous anough in their own methods, I think.

@Mike: Congratulations! You've just received several hundreds of dollars for free!

MikeVaughan

@Vitaly No. I'm keeping it.

Vitaly

Could you give some specific examples? @Cerberus

yesterday, by Vitaly

Joke

A joke is a story with a humourous twist. It can be in many different forms, such as a question or short story. To achieve this end, jokes may employ irony, sarcasm, word play and other devices. Jokes may have a punchline that will end the sentence to make it humorous. A practical joke or prank differs from a spoken one in that the major component of the humour is physical rather than verbal (for example placing salt in the sugar bowl). Purpose Jokes are typically for the entertainment of friends and onlookers. The desired response is generally laughter; when this does not happen ...

Cerberus

01:02

Okay, allow me to engage you in a slightly annoying Platonic dialogue:

MikeVaughan

I know it was joke. lol

Cerberus

If I say "a=a and a!=a", do you think I am wrong?

Vitaly

:P

MikeVaughan

Yes.

Cerberus

Why?

MikeVaughan

01:03

because x cant be x and !x

Cerberus

Why can't it? (That is the Law of Non-Contradiction you're using: but why is it even valid?)

MikeVaughan

Well, if that's your point, then why is anything, anything.

?

Cerberus

Indeed.

MikeVaughan

Fuck it, I'm a solipsist now.

Cerberus

My point is that you are assuming that things cannot contradict each other because it doesn't feel right in your brain. That is all you have: a feeling. All of logic and everything else is based on that feeling.

That feeling isn't bad or useless; but it would be naïve to deny its role.

MikeVaughan

01:07

I understand what you're saying.

Vitaly

Quick question, Cerberus: are you talking about rationality (LW) or rationalism (Wikipedia)?

MikeVaughan

But I disagree.

Cerberus

@Vit: I have no idea!

@Mike: Oh?

MikeVaughan

I don't think its based on a feeling.

I think it's based on an inherit understanding.

Vitaly

Rationalism (Wiki) is “any view appealing to reason as a source of knowledge,” rationality (LW) is… well… wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Rationality

Cerberus

01:09

@Mike: Well, where does that understanding come from, then? What is it, and why is it a valid basis?

Vitaly

Your point is only valid if you are talking about rationalism, I think.

Cerberus

@Vit: I don't think so. This rationality depends on prediction, and prediction depends on interpretation. How do I decide whether a certain observation matches my prediction?

I know I am sort of addressing random stuff here. The only thing I'm after is a bit more scepticism and modesty for rationalists...

Vitaly

“This rationality depends on prediction, and prediction depends on interpretation.” — What experiences would you anticipate if prediction depended on interpretation? What experiences would you anticipate if the opposite were true?

(I am not making any point yet, just trying to understand what is it you are talking about. The first part—“Attaining a map that reflects the territory depends on prediction”—doesn't sound wrong so far.)

(If I still can't understand your point, I shall ask you to taboo the word interpretation)

Cerberus

If it were true, I'd expect us to never be sure whether we actually observed something that confirmed or falsified our prediction, and possibly believe that we were sure while in fact we couldn't be sure. If it were not true, I'd expect observations to be clear-cut facts that would fit right into the fitting or unfitting slots of our prediction, in a quasi-mechanical process.

MikeVaughan

Well, normally I appreciate the philosophical talk a lot more.

But, right now, I'm inebriated.

So, with that, I leave you.

Vitaly

01:21

Later @Mike

Cerberus

@Mike: By all means understandable!

MikeVaughan

Good day, folks. I'll see you tomorrow, perhaps.

Vitaly

OK, your point is valid when applied to LW rationality @Cerberus.

However, EY recognized that as well.

Cerberus

@Vit: Yay!

I'm sure he recognised it; my problem lies in the observation that many rationalists do not always apply the fundamental doubts of scepticism as rigorously as perhaps they should. That said, I still think rationalists do great and useful work.

Vitaly

That is pretty much subject to the law of diminishing returns.

In reality, applying the first level of rationality can be with confidence thought to give a correct enough (in terms of LW probability/confidence estimates) map of the territory.

Further applying rationality to the first level of applying it (let's call it the second level) would in most cases give marginal utility, not comparable with the energy expenditure required of the brain to perform that task.

So it would only be rational to stay on the first level of rationality.

No?

Cerberus

01:34

I see what you mean.

In many situations, this is true. But I think I saw some situations in which the utility of higher levels was more than marginal—at least that's what it appeared like to my defective brain...

Vitaly

Haha.

I wish I could edit my posts past the 2-minute window… at the first level*

The question is: are those some situations really worth the effort of applying the higher level rationalities to every situation?

Cerberus

My answer is: sometimes they are, sometimes they aren't; but we do not know that beforehand.

Perhaps this discussion would be more constructive if I could find a good example... but it is late and I should be going to bed. I will give you one next time! Or perhaps I will fail to find one!

Vitaly

Good night @Cerberus

I should be going to. Ttyl.

Cerberus

@Vit: Night!

Boob

09:43

Hi friends , I posted an answer for a question and now it disappeared there, anyone knows the reason?

RegDwight

09:55

@Boob You can't see it anymore? english.stackexchange.com/questions/25176/…

Robusto

What up, dawgs ...

RegDwight

Nuthin'.

Robusto

@Boob, you gotta cite your sources. Otherwise your stuff gets deleted.

RegDwight

I am more worried that he might actually not be able to see the deleted answer.

Alain voiced a similar complaint yesterday.

23 hours ago, by Alain Pannetier

@RegDwight, do you know what happened to my 'deleted' answer about the etymology of *flog* ?
I know I've deleted it of course.
But I should theoretically be able to amend it and possibly to resuscitate it if it ever becomes presentable at last.
I cannot see it any more - any mods black magic or FAQ I forgot ?

Boob

exactly RegD

Robusto

10:02

Well, there is something wrong with the world.

Boob

and more weird part of my problem is that I didn't delete it

hi

Robusto

I can see the deletion just fine.

RegDwight

Well, that one is easy. I deleted it.

But I think you should be able to see it nonetheless.

This is really strange. I'll have to ask around.

Miss

hi all

RegDwight

@Miss Hello.

Robusto

10:06

@RegDwight: Maybe @Boob can write another answer, just a single sentence, you delete it immediately, and then see if that one is visible to him. See if it can be reproduced.

Miss

@robusto: is this chinease on your profile pic

Robusto

Japanese by way of Chinese, yes.

RegDwight

Feb 19 at 16:52, by Robusto

It means "dream"

Robusto

Feb 25 at 2:11, by Robusto

@ina — Neither. I'm American. The character 夢　「ゆめ」(yume) that makes up my Gravatar means "dream" in Japanese.

RegDwight

Yeah, didn't want to quote that one, as it gives away additional stuffs about you.

Robusto

10:10

Anyone reading my profile can see I'm American. And the rest is in the public domain. But thanks for your circumspection.

F'x

hi @Boob; aren't you feeling a little lonely?

RegDwight

Look at those French.

F'x

@RegDwight pardon my French

RegDwight

Never.

F'x

@RegDwight by which I meant: pardon me, I'm French

RegDwight

10:15

Never.

F'x

@RegDwight doesn't matter; in Soviet Russia, your French pardons you

hum, NOAD says “vermouth: a red or white wine flavored with aromatic herbs, chiefly made in France and Italy and drunk mixed with gin.”

RegDwight

Yeah, the French are not exactly famous for their ability to pardon. They have to come to Russia to learn.

F'x

but my French dictionary says it's Italian, and the word itself is German

and I've never drank it, never been offered some, never seen it on a menu, …

is it like some antiquated beverage that was so bad that noöne drinks it anymore?

and, more to the point: what does it taste like?

RegDwight

You never tried Martini?

Or Manhattan?

Or Cinzano?

F'x

Martini, Manhattan, yes; Cinzano, in cooking only

RegDwight

10:23

Then you have tried vermouth.

F'x

OK, good to know

so, Vermouth is the common ingredient in all cocktails that I don't like :)

RegDwight

I'm no fan of absinthe, either.

F'x

though I'm not sure I consider Martini a cocktail, as except in the poshest of places their serve it pre-mixed

@RegDwight yeah, I'm no fan of anis, so I don't drink absinthe and pastis

(well, I did drink absinthe because it was outlawed back then, which made it all the more fun)

RegDwight

@Fx I can't believe that.

I was just going to say, "but yeah, of course as a French you must love that anis rubbish"...

Interesting.

F'x

@RegDwight yeah, everytime I go to Southern France, I suffer from this

and not only in drinks, but they also put it in cooking (though it's not as bad, as it's only one ingredient then)

RegDwight

10:29

I've been to a few places where they seemed to have replaced tap water with Pernod.

F'x

Anethole

| Section2 = | Section3 = | Section8 = }} Anethole (also para-methoxyphenylpropene, p-propenylanisole, and isoestragole) is a phenylpropene, a type of aromatic compound that occurs widely in nature, in essential oils. It contributes a large component of the distinctive flavors of anise and fennel (both in the botanical family Apiaceae), anise myrtle (Myrtaceae), liquorice (Fabaceae), and star anise (Illiciaceae). Closely related to anethole is its double-bond isomer estragole, abundant in tarragon (Asteraceae) and basil (Lamiaceae), that has a flavor reminiscent of anise. Anethole ...

@RegDwight yeah, I remember a student bus trip where they didn't bring any pure water, all of the water supplies were pre-mixed with pastis :(

anyway, gotta go, see you

RegDwight

CU.

Boob

10:47

lonely? why

@Fx you mean ....?

RegDwight

@Boob He's referring to your handle not being plural.

Boob

11:05

@RegDwight I like other meanings better ;)

@RegDwight then it means you deleted my answer? hmm , I was thinking i had better not to write answer for this question while writing the answer, it was horrible?

RegDwight

Let me quote the comment I left before deleting:

> Significant parts of this are copied verbatim from The Phrase Finder, without any attribution whatsoever. The official policy across all sites of the network is to delete such answers on sight. – RegDwight♦ 1 hour ago

Boob

@RegDwight Thanks

RegDwight

Note that I'm not making the rules. I can't just ask you to improve the answer, I have to delete it right away, because if we get hit with a DMCA takedown notice, I am showing prior knowledge.

Boob

I banged my head against the wall

@RegDwight I understand

@RegDwight Sources are a bit muddy, aren't they?

RegDwight

Well, the rules are quite simple. Whenever you quote someone, a) clearly indicate that it is a quote, either by using quotation marks or the > formatting, and b) clearly indicate whom you're quoting. If it's an online resource, a link would be usually expected, too.

Boob

11:19

@RegDwight takk

I'm trying to learn from you

F'x

11:51

@RegDwight better still, use a giant red quote; that's a legal opinion

RegDwight

@Fx Careful, lest Boob just takes the kiamlaluno approach and attaches the giant red quote to his monitor.

F'x

@RegDwight I painted my fingers red to be able to make a giant red quote–unquote gesture

RegDwight

So you have been drinking way too much absinthe...

Boob

for more info, I checked my gender and for sure my sex is female

Alain Pannetier

Hi all.

Boob

12:02

Hi Alain

Alain Pannetier

yesterday, by Alain Pannetier

Actually, looks like a new feature. I've looked at another answer I deleted recently and it's gone as well:

@RegDwight, it looks like all answers I've deleted are now invisible to me.

Should that be reported through meta.se ?

Robusto

Damn, I was in the middle of an answer and the site went down.

Alain Pannetier

@Robusto, given the number of answers you sign per day... that was bound to happen!

Robusto

Meh. Not true at all.

I don't sign any answers. I merely write them.

Cerberus

Hi yeah this sucks.

RegDwight

12:08

@AlainPannetier I've asked around on the Teachers' Lounge, so far this is news to everyone.

Boob

@Robusto =D I understand your feelings well. I've walked in a pair of shoes very like your own.

Alain Pannetier

but the rep goes to you. I'm willing to sign them if the rep goes to me.

F'x

hi Alain

RegDwight

@AlainPannetier So yes, you might wish to go ahead and post on MSO.

Alain Pannetier

Hi F'x. In Paris today ?

Cerberus

12:09

Stupid site, going down on me again and again.

Alain Pannetier

I'm in Tunis.

F'x

@AlainPannetier in sunny Paris, yes!

Alain Pannetier

4

Q: No SSL certificate recognised in customer premises.

Context: I'm currently working as an expat for my company in a country where the Internet is notably untrustworthy. It made the headlines a few months ago for stealing facebook, twitter and gmail account passwords. There was a revolution back in January and things are supposed to have improved...

for better or for worse

Robusto

Plus my output has been waning lately, due to heavy workload and a paucity of interesting questions.

Alain Pannetier

Questions are horrible today still. I guess you'll have to bite the bullet.

Boob

12:11

people , what level of English is needed here to improve one's language skills?

RegDwight

@Robusto Everyone knows you're just hanging out on Skeptics. Whom are you trying to fool?

F'x

3

Q: Of sex and calories

Are there any reviews out there of scientific studies conforming or invalidating the common claim that sexual activity is a good way to burn calories? Have quantitative measurements ever been undertaken? I can imagine that the popularity of this idea has lead to some testing over the ages, but...

medicine physiology sex

Robusto

Busted.

RegDwight

@Boob Well, since you can only improve if you're not on the highest level already...

F'x

@RegDwight speaking of which, this beautiful question would love some nice, substantiated answers

RegDwight

12:13

@Fx Cue mod comments "this question is ill-defined".

Of course sex is a way to burn calories, but what do you mean by asking "is it a good way"?

Of course sex is good.

F'x

@RegDwight I am asking for references to quantitative measurements of work exerted during sex, how ill-defined is that?

RegDwight

Very.

F'x

@RegDwight you have a problem with your definition of "defined", then

RegDwight

Whatever problems I might have, at least I don't post them on Skeptics. :P

Cerberus

Perhaps you could search in an academic database. Isn't there some database on biological topics?

RegDwight

12:15

DNA.

Cerberus

?

Boob

@RegDwight somehow, I fear to post answers

RegDwight

If that's too cryptic, try PubMed.

Cerberus

Ah.

I've heard of PubMed.

F'x

@RegDwight well, I'm not an expert on this topic, which is why I ask rather than do the job (poorly) myself

RegDwight

12:17

See, even dogs know of PubMed.

@Fx You do realize I'm just joking and messing with you and stuff?

F'x

@RegDwight but then, he's a very good doggy

Cerberus

@F'x: Yeah, I think I'd do the same.

Boob

@Fx I've read an article about it on internet

Cerberus

Sex is rather an abstract topic.

RegDwight

@Boob I wrote an article about it on the Internet.

It mentioned you a few times.

Cerberus

12:18

That website in censored where I live.

RegDwight

Everything is censored where you "live".

F'x

@RegDwight who's a good commie? who's a good commie?

Cerberus

I suppose so...

RegDwight

@Fx Um... a dead commie?

I dunno, what's the answer?

Boob

@RegDwight =D , takk takk

Cerberus

12:19

But at least ~~they~~ simply ~~strike~~ through ~~every~~ other ~~word~~ here, ~~instead~~ of ~~sticking~~ a ~~giant~~ red ~~flag~~ on it!

RegDwight

@Boob Are you Norwegian or what?

Boob

yes Norwegian

Cerberus

Well the site works again.

RegDwight

@Cerberus: There, FTFY.

Cerberus

Oh, those ubiquitous acronyms...

RegDwight

12:22

"Fixed that for you."

Cerberus

Ah.

RegDwight

It's not the acronyms, it's just your memory, or the lack thereof.

You couldn't remember your name or species, if not for my repeating them over and over again.

Cerberus

True... but I find non-acronyms easier to remember!

RegDwight

Apr 21 at 23:51, by RegDwight

Авпваойцехрварждоы.

There you have your non-acronym. Now remember it.

Cerberus

For example, @Vit's "undiscriminating scepticism": I'd heard that only once, and yet I immediately remembered it all when I heard the term again. It is just the connection at the lowest level that usually fails; once I get that, my memory does supply the rest.

Robusto

12:24

Awwww, someone gave me a drive-by disapproval.

0

A: "Till there was you" - was or were?

First of all, "there were you" would sound completely barbarous spoken to a single individual, unless the singer was in love with and singing to, say, a whole platoon of Marines. Second, this is a song lyric. Normal grammatical considerations do not apply. Consider: "It ain't necessarily so...

See, nobody has a sense of humor anymore.

And I can't believe I'm the only person to upvote this:

1

A: Is the past tense of "go" related to the word "venture"?

Venture ultimately comes from Latin venire (taking a rather interesting detour via adventure and aventure), from Proto-Indo-European base *gwa- "to go, come", whence the English come, the German kommen etc. Went, on the other hand, ultimately comes from Proto-Indo-European *wendh- "to turn, wind...

Boob

@RegDwight where are you from?

Robusto

C'mon, people!

Boob

from people and places =D

Cerberus

+1 For Reg.

Robusto

Meh, gotta commute. Laterz.

Rhodri

12:27

@Robusto I can offer you drive-by proof-reading instead, if that would help?

1

A: Difference in quote signs?

In British English a normal quotation uses the single quotation mark. John said he was 'tired and hungry' and would go straight to bed. In American English a normal quotation uses the double quotation mark. John said he was "tired and hungry" and would go straight to bed. For quotes i...

RegDwight

Mar 6 at 15:06, by RegDwight

Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan you very nice place.
From Plains of Tarashek to Northern fence of Jewtown.
Kazakhstan friend of all except Uzbekistan.
They very nosey people with bone in their brain.

Kazakhstan industry best in world.
We invented toffee and trouser belt.
Kazakhstan’s prostitutes cleanest in the region.
Except of course for Turkmenistan’s.

Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan you very nice place.
From Plains of Tarashek to Norther fence of Jewtown.

Come grasp the mighty penis of our leader.
From junction with the testes to tip of its face!

Cerberus

@Rob: I think your answer is good, but I am missing something about "there" and about "you" not being the subject.

Rhodri

"For quotes inside quotes, British uses the double quotation marks and British the single." For the British are mighty and can contradict themselves at will.

RegDwight

LULZ.

Boob

@RegDwight ok =D

Rhodri

12:31

@Boob: I hope I didn't come off as a self-important twonk when I was encouraging you to expand your answer to that question too.

Third Idiot

Quoting the quoter

RegDwight

Yeah, as it stands it's more of a comment.

Third Idiot

I just discovered that I'm a Greenhorn

Everywhere, every day, in every way, anyway

Goodnight.

Boob

@Rhodri That's so kind and gentle of you, I'm trying to write a summary

@RegDwight is it legal to provide a summary by copy-paste some important sentences?

Cerberus

Sure it is legal, as long as you mention the source.

RegDwight

12:35

As I said earlier, mark any quote as such, keep it short and to the point, and link to the original.

Vitaly

speaking about contradictions… @Cer: the guy has acknowledged the existence of questions, but doesn't seem to be capable of answering them or something. He chose two of them, one is asking for a description of his beliefs (and the guy relied on another member of LW's answer, which is basically quoting Wiki) and the other one, he answered it with “I don't understand what you are talking about.”

Boob

@RegDwight I'm not a Boob guy ;)

Cerberus

@Vit: Aww ... could you give me the link again?

Vitaly

@Cer: lesswrong.com/user/calcsam

Alain Pannetier

2

Q: Deleted answers now invisible to authors below 10k under EL&U and SO

I've just tried it again to make sure before posting this question but since one day or two at least, whenever I delete a question, it becomes invisible to me. Evidence I've just deleted this answer in SO. And It's now invisible. I usually hang around in English Language and Usage. All the an...

bug status-completed deleted-answers visibility

It's a new feature.

Cerberus

12:38

@Vit: He was probably just very enthusiastic about his new-found religion and forgot what site he was posting on...

RegDwight

@Vitaly This is the most confusing post format I have seen in years.

Vitaly

@Cerberus it's been 3 years, as stated in his post

RegDwight

@AlainPannetier Yes, as far as the questions are concerned. I could've told you as much.))) But we were talking about answers, and as balpha confirms, this was actually a bug.

Cerberus

@Reg: Agreed! Look at what they're forced into doing...

Rhodri

The answers to this one are making me cry:

2

Q: Does the word after a question mark start with a capital letter?

Should I write it like this? Or perhaps like this? Should I write it like this? or perhaps like this? What about after an exclamation mark or semicolon?

punctuation capitalization

Cerberus

12:41

@Vit: Ah OK. Then I have absolutely no idea what this guy wants and what he was expecting at LW!

Vitaly

Me neither—at least at the moment, TBH.

RegDwight

@Rhodri The whole question is making me cry.

This is the type of questions that should be closed as general reference.

Alain Pannetier

@RegDwight Yes, I screwed up in the title. I meant the answers of course.

Cerberus

@Rhod: I think your answer is right; I have voted for you, but... I'd be the happiest man in the world if you could expand on it a bit more and give some examples.

Alain Pannetier

That means there actually is some incentive to aim for the 10k.

RegDwight

12:45

There has always been.

Alain Pannetier

@RegDwight As long as they don't roll out a new feature where each typo cost 10points in which case I'm out.

Boob

@Rhodri does my answer satisfy you now?

sorry, @Rhodri

Vitaly

Huh? Oh.

@RegDwight There has always been some incentive not to aim for 10k: I don't want to see those ugly deleted answers everywhere.

Rhodri

@Boob Lovely. I'll put a public comment in too.

RegDwight

@Vitaly a) They are not everywhere and b) you're missing out on a lot of fun.

Plus, unlike mods, you don't have to read them.

Vitaly

12:48

Given enough time, they will be everywhere. Q.E.D.

RegDwight

They are at the very bottom of the page, in a different color.

Rhodri

@Cerberus I'll have to get back to that in a bit. I have a meeting in a couple of minutes, and I should be less grumpy then :-)

RegDwight

That's like saying, I don't want to read the page 5 of this newspaper. Well, don't.

Vitaly

The different colour is what is ugly about them.

RegDwight

You haven't even seen them and you are complaining?

Vitaly

12:50

ELU isn't the first website I have registered on.

RegDwight

Well, we have a different background color.

Boob

@Rhodri =D but the question is closed , I fell asleep

Vitaly

Different background color stands out anyway.

As long as it's different from other answers.

RegDwight

Then get yourself that Greasemonkey script that uses the Hotdog Stand theme.

Boob

which one is correct? I fell asleep or I fell into sleep?

Vitaly

12:52

It's easier not to aim for 10k. :P

RegDwight

22

Q: Did you ever wish you could have a Hot Dog Stand-themed meta.stackoverflow.com?

Are you depressed by all the gr[ae]y colors plaguing meta? Do you wish you had some exuberance on your favorite website? Are you hungry? Are you still reading this? Well, worry no longer. I'd like to think I've developed a solution to all of your problems with a user style mimicking the abortio...

discussion css fun

Cerberus

@Boob: You fell asleep.

Though you could fall into a deep sleep...

Vitaly

The goggles do nothing!!!!

RegDwight

@Vitaly I honestly don't get what the fuss is all about. It's not like you're even aiming for 1k.

:P

Vitaly

Hahahaha.

Cerberus

12:54

Aww.

RegDwight

Vitaly, Moscow, Russia

543 13

differences word-choice grammaticality etymology british-english slang grammatical-number

Member for 4 months.

Case closed.

Boob

@Cerberus got it, you have the talent of being a teacher

Vitaly

RegDwight, Europe, GMT+1

227 1 6

internet nazi adolf-hitler

RegDwight

Wow, how did they find out who I really am...

Seriously, those tags... WTF... Serves me right for answering questions on Skeptics...

Vitaly

Hahahaha.

Cerberus

12:57

Haha, oh dear.

I find this bias towards fascism a bit unfair. Where are Stalin and Mao?

RegDwight

Dead, and dead.

yesterday, by RegDwight

Stupid communism, how does it work? All it has to do is prevail, and it can't even do that one thing right.

Cerberus

Wow that account is really you!

Just from one Nazi answer.

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