Dennis Hackethal’s Blog

My blog about philosophy, coding, and anything else that interests me.

Tweets

An archive of my tweets and retweets through . They may be formatted slightly differently than on Twitter. API access has since gotten prohibitively expensive – I don't know whether or when I'll be able to update this archive.

But in case I will, you can subscribe via RSS – without a Twitter account. Rationale

@MichaelPSenger @LavenderNRed

"Sinophobic" is such a lazy, blanket response meant to shut down dissent and signal one's moral superiority at the same time. As if criticism of China's policies implied hatred of their people.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@MichaelPSenger

I recently learned that in Germany, lockdown skepticism is immediately associated with far-right extremism. It’s weird.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@kreuzberged

Gross. You’d think that with all the destruction around, there would have been other priorities.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@parkerm @ReachChristofer @reasonisfun @Crit_Rat @ToKTeacher

While unfortunately not everything written about me is true, I think it's important to make sure the credit for the ideas that supported my work is clear. Borrowed ideas have since been attributed thoroughly, clearly and in-text. I hope this helps and you enjoy my book!

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@parkerm @ReachChristofer @reasonisfun @Crit_Rat @ToKTeacher

Hi, thanks for asking. I took this very seriously and did a meticulous, line-by-line review of my book after carefully reading these comments, with the gracious help and support from other CRists (who shall remain nameless to protect them from any potential retaliation).

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@jpr41411 @MichaelPSenger @naomirwolf

High copying fidelity is a property of memes that are good at spreading. Hence the semantic identity. Agreed that it's chilling.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

.@codinghorror When I see websites using SVGs for company logos, my heart beats a little bit faster.

discourse.org

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @CodeWisdom:
🧞‍♂️ "A computer is like a mischievous genie. It will give you exactly what you ask for, but not always what you want." — J…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@TheAtlasSociety

Beautifully said.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@MichaelPSenger @naomirwolf

Those screenshots are interesting, because the phrasing is different in all of them, from what I can tell, whereas in previous examples the wording was always pretty much the same. Did the bots get more eloquent or are they actually people?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@dvassallo

And if something is 50% likely to happen, that’s also a statement of fact.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@dvassallo

Those are epistemological claims. They’re false. There are facts, and there are likelihoods. Nothing can infallibly be proven true or false.

If there weren’t any facts, one couldn’t understand your tweet as a statement of fact either—though presumably it was intended as such.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@RandallKanna

Learn Clojure. Build things you haven’t built before.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@graycrawford

You use big terms and complicated sentence structure. Why not use clear and simple language that is easier to criticize? Care to rephrase that?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@graycrawford

Sounds like a "yes" to me.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@graycrawford

I think if our knowledge grows, we recognize more problems, meaning there are more challenges. Are you suggesting that progress justifies bigger government?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Here's an alternative I would prefer: Biden and Harris completely stay out of healthcare and let Americans manage their health by themselves. They can issue actual guidances if they like, but they SHOULD NOT coerce people.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Also, his COVID task force is supposed to become a permanent institution. Goes to show that government tends to grow, not shrink.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

This is all the kind of stuff I was worried was going to happen under a Biden presidency. Then again, president-elects lie all the time about their grand visions. One can hope that he won't be able to do any of this.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

"COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force" is woke nonsense creeping into socialist medical planning.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

"Evidence-based guidance" is really evidence-based coercion. Bad epistemology -> coercive measures

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

"Implement mask mandates nationwide by working with governors and mayors and by asking the American people to do what they do best: step up in a time of crisis."

"mandates" is NOT "asking"

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

"At the end of this health crisis, it will transition to a permanent Infectious Disease Racial Disparities Task Force."

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

He also wants to "establish a COVID-19 Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force, as proposed by Vice President-elect Harris, to provide recommendations and oversight on disparities in the public health and economic response."

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Biden plans to enact "evidence-based guidance for [...] when to open or close certain businesses [and] when to issue stay-at-home restrictions."

buildbackbetter.com/priorities/cov…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@__adamjohnson_

You're right—I changed it from "likewise" to "in other words."

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

I’ve written more about this here: blog.dennishackethal.com/2020/11/08/bal…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Legislation forcing companies to have boards or workforces representative of the general populace is not only counterproductive, but mathematically impossible. Read why:

blog.dennishackethal.com/2020/11/08/bal…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@dadkind @KevinKileyCA

The ends don’t justify the means. You can advise people to stay home without forcing them to stay home. No coercion required (nor morally ok).

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

... one valid hiring strategy: qualification. But to those who think representation in the workforce is important, surely being mathematically proven wrong will change their minds?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Due to these paradoxes, wokesters who demand hiring practices that result in workforces "representative" of the general populace are contradicting themselves. Of course, those of us who are individualists and don't believe in group grievances already know that there is only...

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

... i.e. an employee of one color whose population has grown being replaced by an employee of another color whose population has shrunken, all in the name of "representativeness." Alabama paradox also applies, as should all others.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

In Balinski & Young's theorem, replace "state" with, say, "race," and "seats" with, say, "no. of employees." There is no "apportionment rule" that companies could follow that doesn't result in a population paradox...

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Update—I think there is, even within a single dimension (as long as there are three or more alternatives): math.stackexchange.com/questions/3898…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Correction: that's actually Arrow's theorem, not Balinski & Young's.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@ernsterlanson

Makes a lot of sense!

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@ClimateWarrior7

Don't forget filling out form dreifachzeitmachgutnichtschmaken 55a and normfüllhalterdreieckbahnbekundungszuschlag 19.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@SamHarrisOrg @wakingup @10percent @calm @Headspace

"very stressful moment" reminds me of San Franciscans in 2016 having "healing parties."

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@michaelerich5

Hübscher Laib Brot

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@ToKTeacher @bnielson01 @HeuristicAndy @DavidDeutschOxf @reasonisfun

"What could?" Neo-Darwinism could be falsified “if an organism was observed to undergo only (or mainly) favourable mutations” or “[i]f organisms were observed to be born with new, complex adaptations – for anything – of which there were no precursors in their parents” BoI ch. 4

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Many successful people give to charities to "give back." But they never took anything in the first place!

People like Steve Jobs, through the production and marketing of computers, have done way more to lift people out of poverty than charities, without even trying to do that.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Charity is overrated. It doesn't create anything new—it's just a transfer of existing wealth and is a zero-sum game. Trade, on the other hand, results in the creation of value for both parties.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

I suspect for other items, the factor is even starker. How much would someone have to pay you never to use clothes again? Or salt? Or cars?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Let's say people spend an average of $10,000 on computers in a lifetime. Those $10,000 are effectively worth $10 million to them and computers outperform their cost 1000x.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

I had a sense that this would be the result, but it's still worth thinking about what it means. For one, it means that computers are extremely valuable. For two, it means that entrepreneurship is much more helpful to people than even extremely generous charity.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@KatyDerbyshire

“Sie sind beide in Brüssel untergetaucht und haben dort überlebt.” ??

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@WatchRatio

Looks like he’ll need to win all of Fla, Ga, Iowa, mich, nc, nev, Ohio, and Texas if Biden gets the remainder. Doable. But if he loses a single one of those, he loses overall.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@WatchRatio

Not according to politico.com/2020-election/… if Biden wins all remaining states.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

School kids in France stood for a minute of silence to acknowledge the beheading of Samuel Paty by an islamist terrorist.

"A minute of silence means nothing if it’s forced. If we’re serious about freedom, we need to stop forcing kids to go to school."

blog.dennishackethal.com/2020/11/04/for…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@Ayaan

Macron is doing the right thing standing up to islamists—unfortunately, it's ironic that children are learning about freedom in a classroom setting they are forced to attend.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Would you accept $10 million on condition that you never use any computer ever again (including smart phones, tablets etc)?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@KevinKileyCA

What are the consequences for Newsom and the CA government as a whole? Do they at least have to pay damages?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

It’s a great day for California!! twitter.com/KevinKileyCA/s…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@MatjazLeonardis @DavidDeutschOxf

Then again, we’re not after justification, so maybe this isn’t such a big problem?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @DavidDeutschOxf:
@richard_landes @SamHarrisOrg

Don't analyse it as a policy, where it is obviously nonsense. Analyse it as a general-pu…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@DoqxaScott

"Black lives matter."

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike

To be clear, I'm not looking to weigh pros against cons. I'm looking for a single con that would refute the entire thing.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @MurraySuggests:
“Whenever someone starts talking about 'fair competition' or indeed, about 'fairness' in general, it is time to keep a…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@ThomasMetzinger

What if we’re not impressed by Thunberg?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@gleason_colum

“It’s about giving people the resources and the help they need...” doesn’t that sound lovely! If only she shed light on the theft and violence that are silently happening to “give people what they need.”

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@HermesofReason

The idea may not explicitly encode that feature, but it's part of its reach (albeit a bad kind of reach). And yes, I think that for some ideas, it's the associations that make it troublesome.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike

This casts doubt on the possibility of persuading you with outcomes alone, as there may always be "other potential benefits" you can mention. It would be better to pinpoint and offer one specific criticism that would definitely change your mind.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@cziscience @ChanZuckerberg @WatchRatio

This whole account is a social-justice treasure chest.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Whenever an idea seems so obviously true that you cannot imagine yourself possibly finding a flaw with it—when it makes you think that it must be true—that in itself is a flaw with the idea.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@tiffanyiwaddell @podia @WatchRatio

coach offering services to recruit and promote based on skin color

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike

To illustrate this point, imagine you eat cake all day and never exercise. If somebody then forces you to eat healthier and exercise every day, you'll get in better shape (i.e. better outcome). But forcing you would still be wrong and the better outcome doesn't make up for that.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike

Also, outcomes aren't everything. The methodology matters, too. For example, coercive methodologies should be avoided in favor of non-coercive methodologies.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike

I think you're right about this.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike

What about if someone convinces you that income inequality and consolidation of power aren't bad per se? Would change your mind about UBI, too?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Affected by corporate wokeism? Here are some tips on how to counter it:

blog.dennishackethal.com/2020/11/01/wha…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike

To be clear, if that's what you were referring to, the fact that UBI wouldn't alleviate poverty by printing money is true even if printing money is not coercive.

In any case, have you given any thought to how one could change your mind and get you to reject UBI?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike

Ok but I don't think you've refuted the notion that printing money is theft. And if it's theft it's still coercion.

Assuming that printing money is not theft, printing money does not create wealth because the USD is not a consumer good, and so it won't help abolish poverty.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike

All employment and company actions are already voluntary. No UBI needed for that.

You're confusing the necessity of work with coercion (a common mistake). Relieving the necessity of work does not impact the presence or absence of coercion.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike

Given that this presents an inconsistency with my "world view," why does that lead to disagreement with my previous two tweets?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@vharrelle71 @TragerSteele @EthicalSkeptic

Once you read Popper, you will encounter good criticism of Wittgenstein, too.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike

How UBI could possibly help avoid coercion at work I do not know, but it would also be a case of "coercion to fight coercion," since we have already discovered that UBI can only be brought about through coercion.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike

I kindof like the concept of everything being voluntary, but I think it's important that employees are not coerced into doing anything that they don't want to do either.

The "but" doesn't work there, it's like saying "we need coercion to fight coercion."

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike

All of that is non-coercive so it's fine and their prerogative.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike

Ppl starting new companies

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike

We can find voluntary measures to discourage bad actors. Trade associations, rules, competition, etc.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike

“In theory we should have more of a say in how the govt functions and that would be our route to have a say in how private companies function” is code for coercing companies into doing things they do not want.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike

Yeah it’s voluntary. Also hospital has a PR incentive not to do something like that or lose customers. And even if it didn’t, “sometimes bad things happen” and “bad actors exist” is no excuse for institutionalized theft.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike

There's no reason to think a free society couldn't solve those problems. Also there’s currently little in place to prevent governments from exploiting people.

BTW voluntary trades cannot be exploitative, unless one of the parties commits fraud.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@_Islamicat

That's why he is loot mostly peacefully

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike

It would reduce its activities to essential services, slowly hand over more and more of that to private corporations, first through collaboration, then through handoffs, and steadily reduce taxes until they're 0 and the government has been fully replaced by voluntary alternatives

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike @ValaAfshar @AndrewYang

Again, poverty cannot be regulated away. I understand the urgency, and poverty sucks, but politics won't help. Let the free market continue to lift people out of poverty and in a few decades we may see the end of poverty. Keep interfering and that will only slow things down.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike @ValaAfshar @AndrewYang

Not really, no. Inflation artificially reduces the value of everyone's money. It's just a sneakier way to steal.

That's the problem: government has two primary ways of procuring money. Theft through taxation or theft through inflation by printing money.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@c_drosten

Na, wenn er so "bedeutend" ist, rechtfertigt das sicherlich den Entzug der Freiheit!

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Made my day. I love changing people's minds. twitter.com/vharrelle71/st…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@vharrelle71

You're welcome. On the topic of science and evidence, this book's chapter 1 may interest you: amazon.com/Beginning-Infi…

And Karl Popper's books, particularly "Conjectures and Refutations" and "Objective Knowledge."

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@IdkMike @ValaAfshar @AndrewYang

Yes, taxes, exactly. Meaning the "contribution" would not be voluntary. Meaning you would forcefully burden one part of the population to finance another. That's immoral.

As I said in another tweet, the end of poverty will come, if we don't ruin it through regulations.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@RichardDawkins

Is the attempt moral?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@WatchRatio

They support BLM though. :(

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@DeliberateZero @IdkMike @ValaAfshar @AndrewYang @ChipkinLogan

In time, poverty will be a thing of the past. But it takes time. One can't regulate poverty away in a snap.

Worst thing that can happen is for politicians to come in and mess it all up through regulation. Best thing that can happen is for politicians to just stay out of it.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@DeliberateZero @IdkMike @ValaAfshar @AndrewYang @ChipkinLogan

Also, to @IdkMike's point, all private citizens of the world are already working on abolishing poverty through trade. There have never been fewer poor people in the world than today, thanks to capitalism.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@DeliberateZero @IdkMike @ValaAfshar @AndrewYang

Yeah, exactly. As @ChipkinLogan has said, why doesn't the government just declare "all problems are hereby solved"?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

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