gistfile1.rb

# Instead of this:

name = 'Justin'
Person.where('name = ? OR display_name = ? OR cool_name = ? OR alias = ?', name, name, name, name)

# You can do

name = 'Justin'
Person.where('name = ? OR display_name = ? OR cool_name = ? OR alias = ?', *[name]*4)

# Maybe this borders on DRY and clarity?

# UPDATE:

# Woops, totally forgot you can do this:
name = 'Justin'
Person.where('name = :name OR display_name = :name OR cool_name = :name OR alias = :name', :name => name)