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Discussion on: Demystifying the Long Arrow "Operator"

 
worc profile image
worc

i think the issue is that it's a bad analogy. it draws parallels where there are none, and it creates a mind map that just doesn't match the terrain.

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somedood profile image
Basti Ortiz

That's true. This isn't the first time I've made bad analogies. Guess I'm still learning how to play with my words in an interesting manner. I'll keep working on it.

Admittedly, though, I don't see the analogy I made as entirely wrong. There is still some truth to it. The notation does imply some sort of "approaching by decrementing" to an extent. Regardless of that, it's still a bad analogy, as you said, and I agree.

However, I won't edit the article because that's really how I thought about the notation at first. It would really be dishonest of me and to myself if I changed the analogy now. So for now, it shall serve as a reminder to me to be better with my analogies.

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worc profile image
worc

The notation does imply some sort of "approaching by decrementing"

i think the issue is that "approaching by decrementing" just isn't a limit. if you'd stumbled across a "approach through an infinite sequence" operation (maybe something that recursively takes smaller steps as it approaches a correct answer?), then i think you'd be on to something.

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somedood profile image
Basti Ortiz

I see. I get your point.