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PaperclipPerfector  13hr ago (text post)   433 thread views

Friday Fun Thread for November 15, 2024

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There are degrees of "Ship of Theseus-ing".

  • The original version: Hundreds of pieces are replaced one by one over many years, with physical continuity above 99 percent at each replacement

  • The grandfather's-ax version: Just two or three pieces are replaced one at a time, with physical continuity of only one-half or two-thirds at each replacement

  • This Japanese version: The entire edifice is destroyed and remade all at once, with no physical continuity at all

Or the Spanish version, where decayed parts are replaced by jarringly ugly alternatives, because this is somehow more 'authentic' or 'honest'.

From the perspective of the tourist or resident, the first three options are basically the same, right? The building looks traditional and beautiful, and is built with new materials. The only way options 1 or 2 are superior to 3 would be if the old materials pass on some ineffible essence to the new materials.

From the perspective of the tourist or resident, the first three options are basically the same, right? The building looks traditional and beautiful, and is built with new materials.

Except that in the case of OP's castles, the new construction is made with reinforced concrete rather than wood, which, despite maybe looking the same, must feel rather different.

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