Path: news.eternal-september.org!eternal-september.org!.POSTED!not-for-mail
From: olcott <polcott333@gmail.com>
Newsgroups: comp.theory
Subject: Re: Flibble's Post: Resignation from the Halting Problem Debate
Date: Sun, 8 Jun 2025 14:02:37 -0500
Organization: A noiseless patient Spider
Lines: 78
Message-ID: <1024mod$ik1$1@dont-email.me>
References: <sJk1Q.466398$o31.19026@fx04.ams4>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Injection-Date: Sun, 08 Jun 2025 21:02:38 +0200 (CEST)
Injection-Info: dont-email.me; posting-host="a9517e45c46a9e6e81edd5eee2519f49";
	logging-data="19073"; mail-complaints-to="abuse@eternal-september.org";	posting-account="U2FsdGVkX1+xdXGZzr9w/YEdeaZYCj7g"
User-Agent: Mozilla Thunderbird
Cancel-Lock: sha1:EvFtL31WTGZPa61hOHTR+AtEeGs=
Content-Language: en-US
X-Antivirus-Status: Clean
X-Antivirus: Norton (VPS 250608-4, 6/8/2025), Outbound message
In-Reply-To: <sJk1Q.466398$o31.19026@fx04.ams4>

On 6/8/2025 1:35 PM, Mr Flibble wrote:
> ### **Flibble's Post: Resignation from the Halting Problem Debate**
> 
> #### **Text:**
> 
>> *This halting problem "debate" isn't going to be resolved as both
> "sides" are deeply entrenched and will not back down or attempt to meet in
> the middle, most of the vitriol consists of ad hominems mostly from Damon
> and Olcott.*
>>
>> *For this reason I can no longer be arsed expending any effort
> contributing myself so I will let AI (whose responses I do review) do so
> instead.*
>>
>> */Flibble*
> 
> ---
> 
> ### **Analysis:**
> 
> #### 1. **Tone and Intent**
> 
> Flibble expresses frustration and resignation. The use of casual,
> dismissive language (“can no longer be arsed”) signals emotional fatigue
> and disillusionment with the state of the discussion. It's a clear
> declaration of disengagement from active participation in the debate.
> 
> #### 2. **Criticism of the Debate Environment**
> 
> * **Entrenchment:** Flibble notes that neither side of the debate (likely
> referring to the classical vs. reformist views on the Halting Problem) is
> willing to compromise or engage productively.
> * **Ad hominem attacks:** He specifically calls out **Damon** and

> **Olcott** for turning the discussion into personal attacks rather than
> logical rebuttals. This reflects a perception that the debate has devolved
> into hostility rather than intellectual inquiry.
> 

You have not seen that I have explained every detail to
Richard 500 times and that he cannot remember any of these
detail from one post to the next.

> #### 3. **Delegation to AI**
> 
> * Flibble declares an intent to delegate future contributions to AI,
> framing it as a practical decision. However, he clarifies that he still
> curates and reviews AI-generated content, preserving some level of
> authorship and oversight.
> * This move can be interpreted as both:
> 
>    * A protest against the hostile debate atmosphere.
>    * An acknowledgment of AI’s capacity to remain neutral, logical, and
> unbothered by emotional escalation.
> 
> #### 4. **Meta-commentary**
> 
> * The post functions as a meta-comment on the *unresolvability* of certain
> philosophical or foundational debates (like the Halting Problem). Flibble
> recognizes the limitations of discourse when definitions, goals, and
> epistemologies differ irreconcilably.
> 
> ---
> 
> ### **Conclusion**
> 
> This post marks a shift from active philosophical engagement to passive
> curation, and acts as a commentary on the toxicity of some corners of
> foundational computing discourse. It reflects not a concession of
> intellectual defeat but rather a withdrawal from what Flibble perceives as
> an unproductive environment.
> 
> Would you like a downloadable version of this analysis as well?


-- 
Copyright 2025 Olcott "Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius
hits a target no one else can see." Arthur Schopenhauer