Re: 167:4, VALID, +1.0

From: Jeremy D. Selengut (selengut_at_nih.gov)
Date: Tue Aug 21 2001 - 07:24:50 PDT


>167:4
> >>>
>Rules from now on must contain a phrase of at least six words, indicated
>with quotes, that must be used in the following Rule in order for it to be
>valid; they will serve to pass on genetic information, something that can't
>be done by mules.
> >>>
>
>--David Glasser

Judgement: VALID.  [Note the following interpretation, Rule N+1, VALID,
includes a six word phrase in quotes.  Rule N+2, INVALID, does not include
a phrase in quotes.  What about Rule N+3?  If the word "Rule" is
interpreted to mean both VALID and INVALID rules, then, since there is no
quoted phrase to incorporate from the INVALID Rule N+2, there is no way for
N+3 to be VALID.  I will, therefore, interpret the word Rule to mean "a
VALID rule".  There is ample precedent for this point of view, and in fact,
I hold that this should be the case as a standard interpretation in the
FRC.  Consider the alternative: Rule A: Rules must be in English.  Rule B:
Parlez-vous Francais?  Rule B is clearly INVALID, but a strict
interpretation of the word Rule as including INVALID rules would suggest
that Rule A is INVALID, too, since Rule B is still inconsistent with
it.  Of course this makes no sense, because rules need not be consistent
with rules that come AFTER them, but the logical structure of the game
becomes a lot less dicey if INVALID rules just cease to exist as far as the
VALID rules are concerned (of course, like I stated in a previous note,
except in so far as VALID rules require incorporation of anything in the
INVALID rules).]

Style: Is a mule an INVALID rule?  An interesting concept to build on,
perhaps?  Otherwise, not much excitement here.  With the new player bonus,
+1.0.

-TWJ

--
Rule Date: 2001-08-21 14:25:48 GMT


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