14 Sep 2012

Would You Rather…

Humor, Steve Landsburg 15 Comments

(A) …take Liam Neeson’s daughter against her will, or

(B) …repeatedly assert to Steve Landsburg that the natural numbers are consistent?

15 Responses to “Would You Rather…”

  1. Gene Callahan says:

    Silas is like my prodigal son.

    • Ken B says:

      I on the other hand generally find Silas intelligent and interesting.

      • Joseph Fetz says:

        I really like Silas, as well. He’s taught me a lot. However, I don’t entirely disagree with Steve. Silas does certainly like to try to get under people’s skin, even when he is wrong. This argument between Silas and Steve has a history, and Steve finally just couldn’t take it anymore.

        • Ken B says:

          I’m not saying Silas is right on the subjects Steve lists in his comment. Squirrels? SL is right about models vs theories, “consistent”, etc. But I’ve seen Silas land some punches on the topic of Steve’s uber-platonism in some gloriously testy threads.

          • Bob Murphy says:

            Steve’s uber-platonism is his most admirable trait. He is a devout man and just doesn’t realize it.

            • Ken B says:

              As you know Bob, to a large degree I agree with you here. Steve’s argument evokes Anselm’s. It’s just that I reject the absurdum and you embrace it! But I admire the courage of a man who reads comment 23 and then calls Steve “devout”.

              🙂

              • Joseph Fetz says:

                This is about the time that I admit that I am in a little over my head.

              • Bob Murphy says:

                But I admire the courage of a man who reads comment 23 and then calls Steve “devout”.

                Not sure what you mean here. Steve got medieval on Silas’ ass.

              • Joseph Fetz says:

                “Steve got medieval on Silas’ ass”

                That’s simple. That I can understand.
                🙂

              • Ken B says:

                @Bob: Imeant, after seeing what Steve does to those who piss him off, you are brave to insult him so viciously and court such a flamer. A small jest Bob; calling SL devout is a bit like calling you irreligious; you were jesting about Steve and I was just playing with your premise.

              • Bob Murphy says:

                Oh OK I misunderstood your joke.

      • Joseph Fetz says:

        I, of course, have stayed out of these debates. Both Silas and Steve are far more knowledgeable on this subject than I am. Math isn’t my strong suit.

  2. RPLong says:

    I lol’d.

    • Ken B says:

      @RPLong: Gene has that effect on most of us.

  3. John James says:

    I love YouTube comments:

    –This guy trained Obi Won, helped the Jews become free during WWII, and was Zeus, king of gods. And yet these guys STILL thought it was a good idea to steal his daughter.

    —-You forgot. He trained Batman and led the A-Team. 🙂

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