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Robin Hanson's avatar

lpdbw (did your mommy really call you that?), I can see why you might think my claim gratuitous or superfluous, but I don't see how it is ambiguous. I can sensibly make one statement about Jane's relative ranking without making all possible such statements.

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Overcoming Bias Commenter's avatar

Off topic for this post, but I think on topic for this whole blog:

Is there anything that should be said about a blog named "overcoming bias" where a poster states: "Jane Galt (the sharpest woman I've met)..."?

While this is certainly a statement of personal opinion or a personal observation, and thus inarguable, it seems either gratuitous or superfluous.

What does it mean to be the sharpest woman you've met? Sharp, but not as sharp as the sharpest man you've met? Sharper than any Black you've met, but not as sharp as the sharpest Asian? Does Megan have a chance to become the smartest person you've met?

As it happens, I admire Megan, though I actually often disagree with her, and found your blog through hers, so please be aware I'm actually curious at your turn of phrase, and neither sniping nor picking nits.

Well, to be honest, maybe picking nits just a little bit.

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