Re: spoon-discuss: Re: spoon-business: new proposal: ptime

[Rob Speer <rob@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Mon, Feb 04, 2002 at 11:34:19PM -0500, Eric Gerlach wrote:
> At 09:59 PM 2002-02-04 -0500, you wrote:
> >On Sun, Feb 03, 2002 at 02:06:52AM -0500, Donald Whytock wrote:
> >> Has anyone noticed that we still don't have a paradox resolution 
> >rule?  Or maybe it's just me...
> >
> >There isn't anything to notice. A paradox resolution rule is impossible.
> 
> You're almost right.  A *perfect* paradix reolution rule is impossible.  We 
> *can* however make a rule which allows paradox resolution in any situation 
> that does not involve the paradox resolution rule itself.

But it would take a very skillfully designed rule to actually prevent
more paradoxes than it creates. I don't think the proposed one is that
rule.

Look at all the assumptions the rule makes in order to resolve a paradox
- you can't rely on any of these facts in an actual paradox situation:

* The Clock exists and is functioning correctly.
* It is possible to determine which players are in the game.
* It is possible to submit a CFJ.
* It is possible to collect votes on a Ballot.

And although runoff voting would be a neat way to choose a proposal, it
would only serve to make the situation even more complicated. What if
you can't deterministically tell which proposal should be eliminated?

-- 
Rob Speer