This is a Rant [Meta-thread]

[Agback]

States that Lord Zardoz's theory about "emergent property" is in reality a reference to the "Law of Unintended Consequences", first defined by Adam Smith in 1776 in The Wealth of Nations, which was in and of itself an expansion of a 1692 theory by John Locke.

Posts to assert that although Smith and before him Locke clearly understood the concept of unintended consequences and its importance to economics and public policy, that the 'Law of Unintended Consequences' as such was named by Merton in 1936 and not before. Locke described the particular unintended consequences of a particular law restricting interest rates: this did not constitute a 'theory'.

Adds that Merton actually used the phrase "Unanticipated Consequences", not "Unintended Consequences". Explains the real meaning of 'anticipate', complains about the people who use it as though it meant 'expect', and decries the decline of standards in modern education. Then notices that Merton was born in 1911, so his misuse of "Unanticipated" can't be attributed to anything recent, and inserts an unattributed variation on a quip by a famous wit. "Education isn't what it used to be--and what's more, it never was."

Goes on to point out that the term 'emergent property' has been misused in place of the more appropriate 'unintended consequence', 'interaction', or 'bug'. Posts a formal definition of an emergent property, and gives examples drawn from the Kinetic Theory of Gases (pressure), Public Choice Theory (consensus), statistics (standard deviation), Population Genetics (evolution rate), and demography (life expectancy).

Regards,


Agback

 

[jdavis]

I don't believe in living in the past, the days of the "Hell Cow" incident are behind me.

Make far reaching statement of individual choice to use whatever zany rules you want. Make carefully disguised statement to the effect of saying that stupid gamers have rights too. Indiscrimantly throw in term Role Playing vs Roll Playing to show own wit and insider humor. Baraendur may not be mistaken in his rules interpertation but he is most definatly wrong in his short sited and poorly thought out stance. Wrong equals wrong and Baraendur's stance is obviously wrong . Make thinly vieled and very questionable connections between Baraendur's stance and several dictators thoughout history. State that this is only related to role playing games and DMing skills. Imply that Marshall Tito was a terrible DM and General Franco was a rules lawyer.

 

[Darrin Drader]

I don't believe in living in the past, the days of the "Hell Cow" incident are behind me.

Point out that the "Hell Cow" was the most interesting thing JDavis has brought up in his 1300+ posts

Baraendur may not be mistaken in his rules interpertation but he is most definatly wrong in his short sited and poorly thought out stance. Wrong equals wrong and Baraendur's stance is obviously wrong . Make thinly vieled and very questionable connections between Baraendur's stance and several dictators thoughout history. [/B]

Note the solid fact that several dictators through history haven't played D&D (with the well-known exception of Saddam, who was obviously wrapped up in the Red Box version, and forced his advisors to play when they weren't violating the rights of the peonage).

Point out that the discussion is not about individual gaming groups and DMs, but about the solidity (or lack thereof) or the most signifficant rollplaying game in existence. Blatantly state that JDavis's argument is fundamentally flawed and therefore WRONG. Not only is it wrong, but it offends me on every level a human being can be offended.

Stomp off and promise not to return to the train wreck that this thread has become. Scold my dog for slurping water too loud, log back on, read half a page of posts flaming my position, scold my dog a gain for good measure, then ultimately post something light hearted and apologetic, though I am really just becoming bitter and vengeful. End it with a scalding remark that shows just how insincere the apologetic post was. End with a bunch of smileys to cover up the fact that this is really pushing me over the edge and into insanity (Ha! Ha! Ha! Blargely-boo!)

 

[jdavis]

Point out that the "Hell Cow" was the most interesting thing JDavis has brought up in his 1300+ posts

Yes it was the pinacle of my existence. Bessie "the Hell Cow" reference is the summit of my life, it's all down hill from here.

Note the solid fact that several dictators through history haven't played D&D

Stalin played Paranoia almost every day.


Retract all statements comparing Baraendur's roleplaying skills to Marshall Tito and apologise for going over the line. Change comparison by replacing every dictators name with a Star Trek villians name, leave the rest of the post as is.

 

[randomling]

Expresses confusion at Silver Moon that, apparently, we don't use mileage in the UK, with appropriate use of the smiley.

Ignores any thread-relevant comments anyone else might have made.

Checks punctuation and spelling before posting this time.

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

Quotes jdavis, baraendur, SilverMoon, LightPhoenix's posts in their entirety one after tha other, in vague attempt to make this thread so mind-boggling awful to read that it will finally die the horrendous death it deserves.

States that Baraendur is still DEAD WRONG.

Promises to write Superhero Gibberling Paladin by Wednesday week, whilst secretly hoping that by that time everyone will have forgotten about it.

 

[Rel]

Expresses confusion at Silver Moon that, apparently, we don't use mileage in the UK, with appropriate use of the smiley.

Ignores any thread-relevant comments anyone else might have made.

Checks punctuation and spelling before posting this time.

Blithely takes the thread further off topic (if such a thing is even possible at this point) by asking if the British say, "YKMV".

 

[randomling]

Explains with an appropriate smiley )) that the British say nothing of the sort.

Mentions that she looks forward to seeing Tallarn's gibberling paladin, and thanks various people for defending her gender.

Exits with a smile.

 

[Seonaid]

Says several nasty things about jdavis for responding to her post and yet not about the (nonexistent) additions she made to the thread, and for not visiting her web page. Closes with some smilies in an attempt to cover up the blatant flaming.

 

[Nifft]

Makes personal attacks, in the desperate and pathetic hope that they will earn me the deserved recognition as someone very clever indeed.

-- Handle