On Mon, 09 Dec 2013 20:32:06 -0800, rusi wrote: > On Tuesday, December 10, 2013 8:49:46 AM UTC+5:30, Steven D'Aprano > wrote: >> On Mon, 09 Dec 2013 05:59:29 -0500, Ned Batchelder wrote: > >> [...] >> > And the cycle continues: >> [...] > >> > Maybe we could just not? > > Thanks Ned for your attempts at bringing some order and sense in these > parts of the universe > >> A reasonable request, but just because it's reasonable doesn't mean it >> is a no-brainer that we shouldn't engage with Mark. > > Some basic statistics > > Suppose a random variable X takes 2 values x and y with probabilities p > and q=1-p. Then expected value of X > > E[X] = px + qy > > p = probability of some good result from an interaction
Define "good result". > q = 1-p = No good Define "No good". > x = benefit value > y = harm value > >> Even if Mark is a crank and beyond the reach of logic, reason or facts, >> and I'm 90% convinced his is, consider that he's not the only one >> reading this thread. > > So you are pegging 'no-good-probability' at 90% and so p at 10%. Ok lets > accept these. Certainly not. I'm pegging my confidence that Mark is a crank at 90%, which is not the same thing. For example, although Mark is (presumably) a crank, nevertheless I have brought some enjoyment into your life as it has given you the opportunity to regale us all with your opinion on off-topic posts, and show off your advanced knowledge of probability *wink* That counts as a good result. > And in the benefit value you include the possible benefit to Mark, to > whoever engages with him and the random [no relation of random variable > X] lurking reader. So far so good > > And in the harm-value y, are you including the harm done to the random > reader from a disorderly, abusive, fruitless and almost completely OT > conversation? You are conflating the magnitude of harm with the probability of harm. But please, do continue in your off-topic rant complaining about off- topic conversations, I'm sure that we're all learning either something or possibly nothing from it. >> If just one person learns something useful or new from a reply to Mark, >> I believe that it is worthwhile. > > And if 3 people drop out because the levels of bullshit have crossed > their thresholds? I don't know. If twelve people are moved to drop out of this group because of your post complaining about my post, how would you react? I'd probably feel between 0 and 1/4 times as good. By the way, I'm curious. Why are discussions about object oriented coding off-topic to Python? This is not a rhetorical question. -- Steven -- https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
