Comment by psd1

15 days ago

The optimal _target_ for fraud is not zero. That's the aphorism. The optimal _amount_ of fraud is indeed zero, for most value systems. You had to spell it out because you were imprecise.

You come across as one borrowing patio11’s coat. He's a great blogger. You aren't.

> The optimal _target_ for fraud is not zero. That's the aphorism. The optimal _amount_ of fraud is indeed zero, for most value systems.

You got it backwards in your rush to squeeze your ad hominem attack in there.

The optimal target for fraud can be zero. It's okay to aim for zero.

The optimal amount of fraud cannot be zero, because the cost to get to zero goes asymptotic to infinity as it approaches zero. Therefore the optimal amount of fraud cannot be zero.

> You come across as one borrowing patio11’s coat. He's a great blogger. You aren't.

Please don't sling ad hominem attacks like this.

I don't know why you're trying to compare me to someone else. These concepts did not originate with patio11. Is your only exposure to these concepts through one HN user's blog posts?

  • You came across as arrogant in your comment to tourmalinetaco, as if you are a great educator let down by the intellectual inadequacy of your acolytes. In truth, your conflation of "amount" and "target" muddies the concept you are trying to convey. If you wish to be brief, be precise.

    You are so determined for me to be wrong that you've tied yourself in a knot.

    This is not an ad hominem, it is a direct criticism of your attitude.