# I pit you guys...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-you-guys/493603>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Created:** [April 19, 2009, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-you-guys/493603 "2009-04-19T08:21:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 13

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**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-you-guys/493603/241 "2009-04-24T20:47:27Z")

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> [@Revenant\_Threshold](#):
>
> No, and that’s precisely what i’m worried about happening. The flipside of that is of course that by encouraging an estimation that has more of a net benefit than is actual, we’re more likely to be willing to do that evil act for not enough good.
> 
> To go with torture as an example; if we go too far in our focus on the evil aspect, it may well be that people will not elect to torture, with the worst case effect being that it could have provided information towards a very good result (this presumes torture works, of course). If we go too far the other way, we risk people being willing to torture too much, when the good results aren’t as valuable. Either way presents a risk. I really couldn’t say which way worries me more, but I tend to see more people who would agree with you in your larger concern for that particular direction of estimation, hence my concern.

You make very good points. It’s definitely a tough one. Or should I say, was a tough one. Because as you point out, more people agree with me, so I must be right.

Whew. 🙂

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**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-you-guys/493603/242 "2009-04-24T21:27:02Z")

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> [@magellan01](#):
>
> You make very good points. It’s definitely a tough one. Or should I say, was a tough one. Because as you point out, more people agree with me, so I must be right.
> 
> Whew. 🙂

Drat. An unimpeachable argument. 😉

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**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-you-guys/493603/243 "2009-04-25T01:35:31Z")

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> [@magellan01](#):
>
> Take two rulers. Both drop bombs and kill 600,000 people. Ruler A does it while under no threat or involved in any conflict. He does it just because he doesn’t like some people. Ruler B is Truman.

Personally, I think Bush would kick the shit out of Truman.

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**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-you-guys/493603/244 "2009-04-25T01:45:56Z")

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> [@Jack\_Batty](#):
>
> Personally, I think Bush would kick the shit out of Truman.

Barbara? No doubt.

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**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\
**Post date:** [April 25, 2009, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-you-guys/493603/245 "2009-04-25T04:06:53Z")

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> [@elucidator](#):
>
> And you got it? I’ll mark mine.

Well done.

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