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by Semaphor 1570 days ago
> "high-heat low-light" question

What does that mean?

2 comments

I read it as a metaphorical nod to light bulbs: an inefficient light bulb spends most of its energy toward heat while producing little light. Instead of producing illuminating discussion, a "high-heat low-light" question produces flames.
Sounds right, thanks.
It's an idiom from Shakespeare (though nowadays we reverse it, since light is more desirable than heat). https://blog.editors.ca/?p=3435