# The Bayes-Structure in the Form of a Riddle

Originally published: 2017-02-26
Canonical URL: /2017/Feb/the-bayes-structure-in-the-form-of-a-riddle/

Left-wingers say torture is wrong because the victim will say whatever you want to hear.

Right-wingers say torture is right because the villain will tell the truth.

__Q__: What happens when you torture someone who only tells the truth?  
__A__: They'll make noises in accordance with their personal trade-off between describing reality in clear language, and pain.

This is the whole of the Bayes-structure; the rest is commentary. Now go and study.