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# My favorite philosophers
Those interested in philosophy might wonder: Who are the favorite philosophers of someone (like me) who has a [very low opinion of philosophy](/lw/4zs/philosophy_a_diseased_discipline/)?
Well, ask no longer. Here are some of [my favorite philosophers](http://commonsenseatheism.com/?p=14621)... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/PMoa6f4aACHfefwBY/my-favorite-philosophers |
# Interest in video-conference discussion about sequences and/or virtual meetups?
**Update:** We're up to 9 participants. Per [jsalvatier's suggestion](/r/discussion/lw/54t/interest_in_videoconference_discussion_about/3usq), I have created a [Google Group](http://groups.google.com/group/lesswrong-virtual-meetups) for ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/krvQb6uFeYCKXB5Aa/interest-in-video-conference-discussion-about-sequences-and |
# Random advice: Teenage U.S. LW-ers should probably be taking more AP exams
If you're a smart young teenager who plans on attending college, consider taking lots of AP Exams.
Advanced Placement Exams are a suite of standardized tests created by the College Board, the same entity that administers the SAT and related ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/WbfiPPLvGdQ8jbs7T/random-advice-teenage-u-s-lw-ers-should-probably-be-taking |
# 96 Bad Links in the Sequences
I've been scraping data from the sequences recently, where by sequences I mean all of Eliezer's [posts](http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Less_Wrong/All_articles) up to and including [Practical Advice Backed By Deep Theories](/lw/d4/practical_advice_backed_by_deep_theories/). I've been doi... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/5wLDhMCn2p3mMnC6g/96-bad-links-in-the-sequences |
# Meta: Karma and lesswrong mainstream positions
My impression is that critiques of lesswrong mainstream positions and arguments for contrary positions are received well and achieve high karma scores when they are of very high quality. Similarly posts and comments that take lesswrong mainstream positions will still be... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/Qxusjvsq8LqRSeuWK/meta-karma-and-lesswrong-mainstream-positions |
# [LINK] Ethical Pick-Up Artistry (Clarisse Thorn)
Clarisse Thorn recently posted a useful article about [Ethical Pick-Up Artistry](http://clarissethorn.com/blog/2011/03/23/ethical-pick-up-artistry/), bringing up a few basic critiques of traditional PUA and suggesting a few alternatives.
> Here’s the thing: the curre... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/hDwwPwZmPmgqxeDFn/link-ethical-pick-up-artistry-clarisse-thorn |
# A potential problem with using Solomonoff induction as a prior
There's a problem that has occurred to me that I haven't seen discussed anywhere: I don't think people actually wants to assign zero probability to all hypotheses which are not Turing computable. Consider the following hypothetical: we come up with a th... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/GZwCWnbtLBmji9A2i/a-potential-problem-with-using-solomonoff-induction-as-a |
# Failure Modes sometimes correspond to Game Mechanics
If you want to carry a brimming cup of coffee without spilling it, you may want to "change" your goal to instead primarily concentrate on humming. This is an example of a general pattern. It sometimes helps to focus on a nearby artificial goal rather than your act... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/WopDQ8WxyxSnPNZtd/failure-modes-sometimes-correspond-to-game-mechanics |
# Meta: How should LW account deletion work?
At 2011-04-08 LW user account deletion is broken. We (Trike) will fix it… but how should it work?
**Options: **
1. Easy complete deletion: At the click of a button you can remove your account, all of your posts, and all of your comments. It's just _that easy_ to scrub y... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/KzdkdfJTtmBwWmz6i/meta-how-should-lw-account-deletion-work |
# What is wrong with "Traditional Rationality"?
In [several places in the sequences](http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Traditional_rationality "LessWrong wiki"), Eliezer writes condescendingly about "Traditional Rationality". The impression given is that Traditional Rationality was OK in its day, but that today we have ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/WeQv9LSCj9nYXoTwJ/what-is-wrong-with-traditional-rationality |
# New FAI paper: 'Learning What to Value' by Daniel Dewey
[Daniel Dewey](http://www.danieldewey.net/), '[Learning What to Value](http://www.danieldewey.net/dewey-learning-what-to-value.pdf)'
_Abstract_: I.J. Good's theory of an "intelligence explosion" predicts that ultraintelligent agents will undergo a process of r... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/KEmXavQt8sCrLKCJm/new-fai-paper-learning-what-to-value-by-daniel-dewey |
# Human errors, human values
### The trolley problem
In 2009, a pair of computer scientists published a paper enabling computers to [behave like humans on the trolley problem](http://www.livescience.com/5729-robots-ethical-decisions.html) (PDF [here](http://centria.fct.unl.pt/~lmp/publications/online-papers/epia07-mo... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/uHrAy4yvuyzKPdRF7/human-errors-human-values |
# Gamification and rationality training
Watch [this](http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/extra-credits/2985-Gamification) Extra Credits and take note especially of the end, where they're offering consultation to educators and doctors re making educational stuff and other useful stuff more like games. (Incident... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/ZhjqpQxPCnuthYqNo/gamification-and-rationality-training |
# The Neuroscience of Desire
> Who knows what I want to do? Who knows what anyone wants to do? How can you be sure about something like that? Isn’t it all a question of brain chemistry, signals going back and forth, electrical energy in the cortex? How do you know whether something is really what you want to do or jus... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/48DTJkBH58JbBNSFH/the-neuroscience-of-desire |
# Self-modification, morality, and drugs
No, not psychoactive drugs: allergy drugs.
This is my attempt to come to grips with the idea of self-modification. I'm interested to know of any flaws folks might spot in this analogy or reasoning.
Gandhi wouldn't take a pill that would make him want to kill people. That is t... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/XcyCqYaFGuQ2Bb5PA/self-modification-morality-and-drugs |
# Reasons for SIAI to not publish in mainstream journals
Recently, I [gave](/lw/4r1/how_siai_could_publish_in_mainstream_cognitive/) some reasons for SIAI to begin publishing in mainstream journals, and outlined how it could be done.
I've recently been made aware of some pretty good reasons for SIAI to _not_ publish ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/cKD85YRn7fy95WkmN/reasons-for-siai-to-not-publish-in-mainstream-journals |
# Do meetups really have to go on the front page?
I've been browsing LessWrong less often as of late, and I believe that one of the reasons is because I don't want to get all excited all over a new insightful LW post, only to discover that it's a meetup in a city that I'm not even in.
And for newbies to the site in p... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/CFQbHMZmuQEeCyXc9/do-meetups-really-have-to-go-on-the-front-page |
# How would you respond to the Philpapers "What are your Philosophical Positions" Survey?
The questions are at [http://philpapers.org/surveys/oquestions.html](http://philpapers.org/surveys/oquestions.html). The correlations can be intensely interesting to those who understand philosophical jargon (http://philpapers.or... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/EwSaRk7FyvJkiQ2A5/how-would-you-respond-to-the-philpapers-what-are-your |
# The Absolute Self-Selection Assumption
There are many confused discussions of anthropic reasoning, both on LW and in surprisingly mainstream literature. In this article I will discuss [UDASSA](http://fennetic.net/irc/finney.org/~hal/udassa/), a framework for anthropic reasoning due to Wei Dai. This framework has ser... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/QmWNbCRMgRBcMK6RK/the-absolute-self-selection-assumption |
# New Less Wrong Feature: Rerunning The Sequences
_Coauthored by [Alexandros](/user/Alexandros) and [Unnamed](/user/Unnamed)_
The suggestion to [bring back the sequences](/r/discussion/lw/4pt/bring_back_the_sequences/) in a format that is more similar to new blog posts was well received, so the two of us have bee... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/7XPZQddvD2RBEMdQq/new-less-wrong-feature-rerunning-the-sequences |
# Anthropics makes sense with shorter people
Reproduced from [Meteuphoric](http://meteuphoric.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/person-moments-make-sense-of-anthropics/) by request.
Often people think that various forms of anthropic reasoning require you to change your beliefs in ways other than conditionalizing on evidence. ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/uiK8XqjvgbTepcKud/anthropics-makes-sense-with-shorter-people |
# It is OK to publicly make a mistake and change your mind
At a recent meetup, we tried having a structured discussion in which we would all choose to talk about a belief that influences our behavior, talk about something we protect, or talk about a mistake we once made and have corrected. And it seemed that people th... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/QmqP8FeQix5ebseyF/it-is-ok-to-publicly-make-a-mistake-and-change-your-mind |
# Modeling sleep patterns
My sleep is unpredictable. Not in a technical sense, but a colloquial one. To be literal, I have no idea how to predict my sleep. I just as often sleep through the day as I do through the night. My sleep itself, as far as a sleep study can tell, is normal. I can vaguely say, 60% confidence, i... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/THrcKicMkpHMbrDBQ/modeling-sleep-patterns |
# On Debates with Trolls
One of the best achievements of the LessWrong community is our high standard of discussion. More than anywhere else, people here are actively trying to interpret others charitatively, argue to the point, not use provocative or rude language, apologise for inadvertent offenses while not being o... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/ZxdK6rTf3bRbgNy6N/on-debates-with-trolls |
# Eight questions for computationalists
This post is a followup to "[We are not living in a simulation](/lw/57e/we_are_not_living_in_a_simulation/)" and intended to help me (and you) better understand the claims of those who took a computationalist position in that thread. The questions below are aimed at you if you ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/JsWd7jkeYWELtuHZc/eight-questions-for-computationalists |
# Hunger can make you stupid
When I originally wrote ["When to scream 'Error!'"](/r/discussion/lw/4le/when_to_scream_error/), I was mainly thinking of bad patterns of thought or bad problem-solving strategies as being the source of the error. Since then, I've come to realize that my own most common source of stupidity... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/Tc4Q3ja7YGjeTXbag/hunger-can-make-you-stupid |
# Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality Podcast
Have you ever thought “I’d love to read Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality, but I just don’t have the spare time. I wish it was available in audio format.” Fret no more! I present to you the HPMoR Podcast! First chapter out now, and another one added every... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/rdJPrCyxSNrGPHgoN/harry-potter-and-the-methods-of-rationality-podcast |
# How not to be a Naïve Computationalist
Meta-Proposal of which this entry is a subset:
The **Shortcut Reading Series** is a series of less wrong posts that should say what are the minimal readings, as opposed to the normal curriculum, that one ought to read to grasp most of the state of the art conceptions of humans... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/HLadQZ6FqTTjnYpoB/how-not-to-be-a-naive-computationalist |
# Levels of Action
One of the most useful concepts I have learned recently is the distinction between actions which _directly_ improve the world, and actions which _indirectly_ improve the world.
Suppose that you go onto [Mechanical Turk](http://mturk.amazon.com), open an account, and spend a hundred hours transcribi... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/guDcrPqLsnhEjrPZj/levels-of-action |
# Might whole brain emulation require quantum-level emulation?
Most experts seem to think that [whole brain emulation](http://www.philosophy.ox.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/3853/brain-emulation-roadmap-report.pdf) will not require emulation down to the quantum level, but perhaps at the level of atoms or even mole... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/mtv98d726qJgag3X2/might-whole-brain-emulation-require-quantum-level-emulation |
# Link: Why and how to debate charitably
Even though this was written by a current Less Wrong poster (hi, pdf23ds!), I don't think it has been posted here: Why and how to debate charitably (pg. 2, comments). _(Edit: The original pdf23ds.net site has sadly been lost to entropy – Less Wrong poster MichaelBishop found [a... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/eBR5aeDwDHfiqE96e/link-why-and-how-to-debate-charitably |
# The Bias You Didn't Expect
There are few places where society values rational, objective decision making as much as it values it in judges. While there is a rather cynical discipline called [legal realism](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_realism) that says the law is really based on quirks of individual psycholog... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/L8dB6yoMEWofoeDNt/the-bias-you-didn-t-expect |
# Brief Query- An Idea
I had an idea- has it been done before, and if not shouldn't somebody try to do it? I live in Melbourne where LWers aren't organised, but perhaps the New York branch or some other group could try this? (IF it hasn't been done, that is- I haven't seen in mentioned, which is why I'm checking)
**I... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/BSTCFQMqxoyRKCpY7/brief-query-an-idea |
# Say More, Justify Less
**Related to:** [Rational Me or We](/lw/36/rational_me_or_we/)?
Human brains reach decisions using complicated, often opaque, mechanisms. Rational behavior requires learning about systematic failures of these mechanisms, but also requires learning to effectively use judgments for which ou... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/8vycE3jL6jtHrqyGr/say-more-justify-less |
# How You Make Judgments: The Elephant and its Rider
Part of the sequence: [Rationality and Philosophy](http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Rationality_and_Philosophy)
Whether you're doing science or philosophy, flirting or playing music, the first and most important tool you are using is your _mind_. To use your tool wel... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/du395YvCnQXBPSJax/how-you-make-judgments-the-elephant-and-its-rider |
# How Many of Me Are There?
This post is not about many worlds. It is somewhat disjointed, but builds to a single point.
If an AI was asked today how many human individuals populate this planet, it may not return a number the several-billions range. In fact I’d be willing to bet it’d return a number in the tens of th... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/tgYdvLEfHcC7tni9b/how-many-of-me-are-there |
# Offense versus harm minimization
Imagine that one night, an alien prankster secretly implants electrodes into the brains of an entire country - let's say Britain. The next day, everyone in Britain discovers that pictures of salmon suddenly give them jolts of painful psychic distress. Every time they see a picture of... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/9thqSN8HDLM3LTxK5/offense-versus-harm-minimization |
# Sequence Exercise: first 3 posts from "A Human's Guide to Words"
Folktheory, RobinZ, and I are designing exercises to go with the sequences. Here’s my first one. Please make suggestions as to how this could be improved or augmented and what to do the same/differently in future exercises. My current plan is to do mo... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/N8tkXCG4YxQEXzNy4/sequence-exercise-first-3-posts-from-a-human-s-guide-to |
# "High Value" Karma vs "Regular" (i.e. Quirrell Points)
I consider this a low value post, because it muses about a particular idea without actually doing hard work to get it done. (I do not have the knowledge or resources to do so, or even know if it's possible to implement this idea on Less Wrong. I'm not even sure ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/wb9vudKMxQsAugan5/high-value-karma-vs-regular-i-e-quirrell-points |
# Making Beliefs Pay Rent (in Anticipated Experiences): Exercises
_The following is a series of exercises designed to test one's understanding of "[Making Beliefs Pay Rent (in Anticipated Experiences)](/lw/i3/making_beliefs_pay_rent_in_anticipated_experiences/)", a post in the [Mysterious Answers to Mysterious Questio... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/rB4sLpRcRPWJyDXQj/making-beliefs-pay-rent-in-anticipated-experiences-exercises |
# Sequence Exercise: "Extensions and Intensions" from "A Human's Guide to Words"
Exercise for “[Extensions and Intensions](/lw/nh/extensions_and_intensions)”
Give an intensional definition for each of the following words:
1. Shoe
2. Hope
3. Wire
4. Green
5. Politician
6. Apple
Now rank them from easiest to de... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/7JRkoSyXFpp9fxqN5/sequence-exercise-extensions-and-intensions-from-a-human-s |
# Build Small Skills in the Right Order
I took some Scientology classes in Hollywood so I could get into their [Toastmasters](http://www.toastmasters.org/) club, which is [the best Toastmasters club in L.A. county](http://www.renaissancespeakers.com/).^1^ My first Scientology class, '[Success Through Communication](ht... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/qwdupkFd6kmeZHYXy/build-small-skills-in-the-right-order |
# Learned Blankness
Related to: [Semantic stopsigns](/lw/it/semantic_stopsigns/), [Truly part of you](/lw/la/truly_part_of_you/).
One day, the dishwasher broke. I asked Steve Rayhawk to look at it because he’s “good with mechanical things”.
“The drain is clogged,” he said.
“How do you know?” I asked.
He pointed at... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/puhPJimawPuNZ5wAR/learned-blankness |
# Vanilla and chocolate and preference judgements
Related to: [2-Place and 1-Place Worlds](/lw/ro/2place_and_1place_words/), [Offence versus harm minimization](/lw/59i/offense_versus_harm_minimization/).
Note: edited to replace 'value' with 'preference' as suggested by orthonormal.
Imagine you overheard two children... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/mqQCuF2m9jSSAfHYB/vanilla-and-chocolate-and-preference-judgements |
# Insufficiently Awesome
Apologies for the wasted time spent reading and replying to this post. Please disregard it.
I've been feeling non-awesome for a long time. I don't know if anyone else here feels the same way, but I'm going to assume that at least a few people do. I want to correct this horrible deficiency.... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/knLZY52Yx9G23u3Ka/insufficiently-awesome |
# No, Seriously. Just Try It.
In [Scientific Self-Help](/lw/3nn/scientific_selfhelp_the_state_of_our_knowledge/), I explained that huge sections of the self-help industry pay little or no attention to the scientific data on self-help. Partly, this is because self-help products are usually written to _sell_, not to _he... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/Zmfo388RA9oky3KYe/no-seriously-just-try-it |
# Official Less Wrong Redesign: Call for Suggestions
In the next month, the administrators of Less Wrong are going to sit down with a [professional designer](http://www.jimmygleeson.com/) to tweak the site design. But before they do, now is your chance to make suggestions that will guide their redesign efforts.
How ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/g96zwWHArQFK8HjNd/official-less-wrong-redesign-call-for-suggestions |
# Epistle to the New York Less Wrongians
_(At the suggestion and request of Tom McCabe, I'm posting the essay that I sent to the New York LW group after my first visit there, and before the second visit:)_
Having some kind of global rationalist community come into existence seems like a quite extremely good idea. The... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/jP583FwKepjiWbeoQ/epistle-to-the-new-york-less-wrongians |
# Things That Shouldn't Need Pointing Out
Today I learned that you can toast marshmallows in the oven.
By "learned", I mean "I read a recipe which included as a step toasting marshmallows in the oven". I didn't have to try it out to realize that this would _obviously work_. It was plain as soon as I heard the idea.... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/XDjiHqyy6vhHG4BEG/things-that-shouldn-t-need-pointing-out |
# How can I make money?
Hey everyone,
I'd like too see if I can utilize the rational powers of Less Wrong
Currently I work full time. Am well paid for my age. Have approximately $20,000 AU in savings.
My spouse is in uni. Will finish this year and begin working next year. But currently I am supporting our household... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/qCoKkY3ms4RdBqrs4/how-can-i-make-money |
# Reading Nonfiction Selectively
This post is intended to be conversational. I'm noticing something about myself and changing it; take it for what you will.
I read quickly; about two and a half times as fast as I read it aloud. A more useful number might be a page a minute, but that's obviously subject to massive unc... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/bo5fAmpJNWGzkQzRn/reading-nonfiction-selectively |
# The Black Team - A Parable of Group Effectiveness
> Management noticed that certain software testers were 10 to 20 percent better at finding defects than their peers. By putting these people on the same team, they reasoned, they could form a group that would be 10 or 20 percent more effective and then put the team t... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/4Yws8Q5PskgvQqs5G/the-black-team-a-parable-of-group-effectiveness |
# The Many Worlds of Hugh Everett
I've just finished this book and its one of the most enjoyable things I've read in a long time. Being a staple of science fiction and the only interpretation of quantum mechanics to enter the popular imagination it's a little surprising that "The Many Worlds of Hugh Everett" by Peter ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/Yt8YSQCEbLcfFfEY6/the-many-worlds-of-hugh-everett |
# The benefits of madness: A positive account of arationality
This post originated in a [comment](/lw/5a9/learned_blankness/3yq7) I posted about a strange and unpleasant experience I had when pushing myself too hard mentally. People seemed interested in hearing about it, so I sat down to write. In the process, howev... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/zPJE7MDtL25RpN7Cc/the-benefits-of-madness-a-positive-account-of-arationality |
# Is Kiryas Joel an Unhappy Place?
I was browsing my RSS feed, as one does, and came across a _New York Times_ article, ["A Village With the Numbers, Not the Image, of the Poorest Place"](http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/nyregion/kiryas-joel-a-village-with-the-numbers-not-the-image-of-the-poorest-place.html?pagewante... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/Fy6JoSn4sozvNYaDA/is-kiryas-joel-an-unhappy-place |
# Leaving a line of retreat for theists
Eliezer recommends that we leave a [line of retreat](/lw/o4/leave_a_line_of_retreat/) when discussing controversial topics, since this prevents scary propositions from clouding our judgment. However, I've noticed recently that there are some topics that are just _too_ scary for ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/JKamCpYa7eG7E6Q3b/leaving-a-line-of-retreat-for-theists |
# Spiritedness and docility
Just a brief inquiry, I've been thinking about myself, and what many people here talk about _akrasia_ and "not getting crap done", and one of the vectors that this can be thought of is in terms of what I would call spiritedness versus docility. At least this is how I would describe it, may... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/6eYCsYnpAgAbt92JF/spiritedness-and-docility |
# Heading Toward: No-Nonsense Metaethics
Part of the sequence: [No-Nonsense Metaethics](http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/No-Nonsense_Metaethics)
A few months ago, I [predicted](https://www.lesserwrong.com/lw/43v/the_urgent_metaethics_of_friendly_artificial/3gwm) that we could solve metaethics in 15 years. To most peopl... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/SFnfhJkGsBQk8jakK/heading-toward-no-nonsense-metaethics |
# Mini-camp on Rationality, Awesomeness, and Existential Risk (May 28 through June 4, 2011)
_Meet fellow LW-ers, hone your rationality, and get on a path toward reducing existential risk and becoming more awesome._
_Who:_ You and a class full of other aspiring rationalists and world-changers, from around the world.
... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/9vBasHrBtCmC6zAzD/mini-camp-on-rationality-awesomeness-and-existential-risk |
# What To Do: Environmentalism vs Friendly AI (John Baez)
> In a [comment](http://johncarlosbaez.wordpress.com/2011/03/25/this-weeks-finds-week-313/#comment-5403) on my last interview with Yudkowsky, Eric Jordan wrote:
>
> John, it would be great if you could follow up at some point with your thoughts and responses t... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/YN6SiiGgTJDH8SgrD/what-to-do-environmentalism-vs-friendly-ai-john-baez |
# Being Wrong about Your Own Subjective Experience
[Hume](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hume) was skeptical of induction and causality. [Descartes](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ren%C3%A9_Descartes) began his philosophy by doubting _everything_. Both thought we may be in great error about the external world. But n... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/J55XeCNeF7wNwgCj9/being-wrong-about-your-own-subjective-experience |
# Are Girl Scout Cookies Deliciously Evil? A Case Study in Evaluating Charities by Yourself
I recently finished up an [essay examining the Girl Scouts, their cookies, and their finances](http://www.gwern.net/Girl%20Scouts%20and%20good%20governance) with reference to whether they are inefficient or corrupt.
What is th... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/5swa8chZCtWynuFga/are-girl-scout-cookies-deliciously-evil-a-case-study-in |
# Join the Special Relocation Task Force!
**(Andrew is a pseudonym because he is a little worried about showing up in an internet search; please respect that and do not use his real name when posting below).**
Andrew is an established and valuable member ([link](/lw/1yq/understanding_your_understanding) to highest vo... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/qH5pz6a9hLaguLFbh/join-the-special-relocation-task-force |
# Attempts to work around Goedel's theorem by using randomness
You can't make PA complete by adding new axioms with a deterministic algorithm. But what if you used a randomized algorithm? Richard Lipton wrote a [post](http://rjlipton.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/random-axioms-and-gdel-incompleteness/) about this idea: gen... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/qvsTmpkWSroJyN6MS/attempts-to-work-around-goedel-s-theorem-by-using-randomness |
# What is Metaethics?
When [I say](https://www.lesserwrong.com/lw/54p/heading_toward_nononsense_metaethics/) I think I can solve (some of) metaethics, what exactly is it that I think I can solve?
First, we must distinguish the study of _ethics_ or _morality_ from the _anthropology_ of moral belief and practice. The f... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/s4Mcg9aLMeRwdW7fh/what-is-metaethics |
# Elitist Jerks: A Well-Kept Garden
In response to: http://lesswrong.com/lw/c1/wellkept\_gardens\_die\_by\_pacifism/
I'm a moderator at Elitist Jerks (http://www.elitistjerks.com), a World of Warcraft discussion forum. Within the WoW community, EJ has always been known for its strict moderation standards. We're exac... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/TjWSLrZcvrGio6iyp/elitist-jerks-a-well-kept-garden |
# Consequentialism FAQ
There are a lot of explanations of consequentialism and utilitarianism out there, but not a lot of persuasive essays trying to convert people. I would like to fill that gap with a pro-consequentialist FAQ. The target audience is people who are intelligent but may not have a strong philosophy bac... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/9oqF382ASmjaGBo7z/consequentialism-faq |
# SIAI Fundraising
**Please refer to the updated documented here: [http://lesswrong.com/lw/5il/siai\_an\_examination/](/lw/5il/siai_an_examination/)**
**This version is an old draft.**
NOTE: Analysis here will be updated as people point out errors! I've tried to be accurate, but this is my first time looking at thes... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/EWn3cyNMyYct98a6G/siai-fundraising |
# Nonmagical Powers
A couple of years ago my workplace was running one of those guess-the-number-of-jellybeans-in-the-jar competitions. I don't even like jellybeans all that much, but nonetheless, I held aloft my nonmagic calculator and said "by the power of Galton!" Taking the mean of all the previous guesses, I put ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/Yt5m8LXCmGKwEt2GA/nonmagical-powers |
# What data generated that thought?
In [Techniques of the Selling Writer](http://www.amazon.com/Techniques-Selling-Writer-Dwight-Swain/dp/0806111917), Dwight W. Swain gives advice on receiving advice:
> George Abercroft is an action writer. "Start with a fight!" is his motto. And for him, it works.
>
> But Fred Frig... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/rKNuyxFK85yKtwP6G/what-data-generated-that-thought |
# Explanation found for the Pioneer anomaly
[Paper here](http://arxiv.org/abs/1103.5222). [Lay summary here](http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/26589/). Some bits from the latter:
> The problem is this. The Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecraft were launched towards Jupiter and Saturn in the early 1970s. After their ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/bm6fm3mP2Ez73k89Z/explanation-found-for-the-pioneer-anomaly |
# HELP! I want to do good
There are people out there who want to do good in the world, but don't know how.
Maybe you are one of them.
Maybe you kind of feel that you should be into the "saving the world" stuff but aren't quite sure if it's for you. You'd have to be some kind of saint, right? That doesn't sound like ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/qJCPpLXmS9rYemjy7/help-i-want-to-do-good |
# What are the leftover questions of metaethics?
lukeprog gave a list of metaethics questions [here](/lw/5eh/what_is_metaethics/):
> What does moral language mean? Do moral facts exist? If so, what are they like, and are they reducible to natural facts? How can we know whether moral judgments are true or false? Is th... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/NyxXkw5NutHDZ6exG/what-are-the-leftover-questions-of-metaethics |
# So You've Changed Your Mind
Related to: [Politics is the mind-killer](/lw/gw/politics_is_the_mindkiller/), [Entangled Truths, Contagious Lies](/lw/uw/entangled_truths_contagious_lies/), [The Importance of Saying "Oops"](/lw/i9/the_importance_of_saying_oops/), [Leave a Line of Retreat](/lw/o4/leave_a_line_of_retreat/... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/W2ZymNJFWbirwctxo/so-you-ve-changed-your-mind |
# Meditation, insight, and rationality. (Part 1 of 3)
For millennia, the practice of meditation has been deeply intertwined with many of the world's major and minor religious and spiritual traditions, as a technique aimed as everything from developing magical powers to communing with gods and demons. By contrast, duri... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/QqSNFcGSZdnARx56E/meditation-insight-and-rationality-part-1-of-3 |
# An inflection point for probability estimates of the AI takeoff?
Suppose that your current estimate for possibility of an AI takeoff coming in the next 10 years is some probability x. As technology is constantly becoming more sophisticated, presumably your probability estimate 10 years from now will be some y > x.... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/cPfZA6Bz9JEjPrC6B/an-inflection-point-for-probability-estimates-of-the-ai |
# Cryonics Promotional Video Contest -- 10 BTC Prize
There was recently a [proposal](/r/discussion/lw/5hp/how_hard_do_we_really_want_to_sell_cryonics) that we should create YouTube commercials for cryonics. This is an area where the cryonics community is sorely lacking fresh content, and which in my opinion has higher... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/ojpjGWrBNSSFYiYG8/cryonics-promotional-video-contest-10-btc-prize |
# META: application for adminship on the wiki
So, as people have probably noticed, there's fairly regular vandalism on the LW wiki which has been taking a while to address and which regular users have been trying to cope with by moving and blanking pages. This is a little silly - it doesn't resolve the problem and jus... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/c2q3nMwem3dnG7Bso/meta-application-for-adminship-on-the-wiki |
# Mitigating Social Awkwardness
Edit - many apologies to anyone that feels that this discussion was a waste of time.
I just ran across an article ([http://techno-anthropology.blogspot.com/2011/04/rough-guide-to-social-skills-for.html](http://techno-anthropology.blogspot.com/2011/04/rough-guide-to-social-skills-for.... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/BjCryxyRraforL2GD/mitigating-social-awkwardness |
# [Altruist Support] How to determine your utility function
Follows on from [HELP! I want to do good.](/r/discussion/lw/5gy/help_i_want_to_do_good/)
_What have I learned since last time? I've learned that people want to see an SIAI donation; I'll do it as soon as PayPal will let me. I've learned that people want more... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/FdFa5KYs6CXnFWxq2/altruist-support-how-to-determine-your-utility-function |
# On Being Okay with the Truth
On January 11, 2007, I timidly [whispered](http://commonsenseatheism.com/?p=12) to myself: "There is no God."
And with that, all my Christian dreams and hopes and purposes and moral systems came crashing down.
I wrote a defiant email to the host of an [atheist radio show](http://www.at... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/3v24wGePcdSGB3i8a/on-being-okay-with-the-truth |
# Ethics and rationality of suicide
I was saddened to learn of the recent [death](http://www.dailytribune.net/articles/2011/04/22/obituaries/doc4db1ac27e4244699183453.txt) by suicide of Chris Capel, known here as [pdf23ds.](/user/pdf23ds) I didn't know him personally, but I was an occasional reader of his [blog](http:... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/GfuKGCZQ5soSFMhqE/ethics-and-rationality-of-suicide-1 |
# SIAI - An Examination
_12/13/2011 - A 2011 update with data from the 2010 fiscal year is in progress. Should be done by the end of the week or sooner._
Disclaimer
* I am not affiliated with the [Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence](http://intelligence.org/).
* I have not donated to the SIAI prior... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/qqhdj3W3vSfB5E9ss/siai-an-examination |
# The Cognitive Costs to Doing Things
What's the mental burden of trying to do something? What's it _cost_? What price are you going to pay if you try to do something out in the world.
I think that by figuring out what the usual costs to doing things are, we can reduce the costs and otherwise structure our lives so t... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/aNH2yrCsDhiMw5ERX/the-cognitive-costs-to-doing-things |
# Personals, anyone?
Meet ups are great and all, but a lot of us live far away from the large masses of LW-participants. I live in the Toledo, Ohio area, and I'm also one of those people who are looking for people who I can relate to. Most people I can't relate to, intellectual conversation makes most people I know ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/QzNzEg2SvwfHN8bhe/personals-anyone |
# How did you actually become more effective?
Like many people here, I think a lot about how to become more awesome. I'm fairly optimistic about my chances, because I can clearly remember times in the past when I was less awesome than I am now-- not necessarily less rational, but less productive and with fewer relevan... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/76JXq3utbAnjpzYGp/how-did-you-actually-become-more-effective |
# Proposal: consolidate meetup announcements before promotion
The Less Wrong feed is getting crowded with meetups rather than substantive posts. Hopefully, this should be fixed in the [redesign](/lw/5by/official_less_wrong_redesign_call_for_suggestions/), but one way to work around it in the meanwhile would be to make... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/eaKHojBdtsf35937k/proposal-consolidate-meetup-announcements-before-promotion |
# Discussion: Pathways for the Aspiring AGI Researcher?
Follow up to: [Best career models for doing research?](/lw/38u/best_career_models_for_doing_research)
First, I must apologize for the somewhat self-serving post, but as it _is_ in the discussion section I hope that this can be forgiven. Also, I would not be surp... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/XQH69YKcscpEge7kx/discussion-pathways-for-the-aspiring-agi-researcher |
# [link] Bruce Schneier on Cognitive Biases in Risk Analysis
A very clear-minded introduction to map-vs-territory ideas in the context of risk analysis. Nothing particularly new here, though the specific examples he gives may be of interest to LW readers.
http://www.ted.com/talks/bruce_schneier.html | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/MRNpGhJFR8fw5rrQ8/link-bruce-schneier-on-cognitive-biases-in-risk-analysis |
# [link] Whole Brain Emulation and the Evolution of Superorganisms
Robin Hanson has made [several](http://www.overcomingbias.com/2011/05/em-min-wage-risks-slavery.html) [recent](http://www.overcomingbias.com/2011/05/super-watch-dilemna.html) [posts](http://www.overcomingbias.com/2011/05/ems-all-newly-trained.html) on ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/bjQroWRe33yQM75Ha/link-whole-brain-emulation-and-the-evolution-of |
# A Delayed Epiphany on Motivation
During lunch today, I had a conversation with my mother about the lives of my younger brothers. She mentioned to me that my brother, who is taking an SAT class, found the practice test he took to be extremely boring. I replied that I was sorry for my brother and that I felt very pr... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/KEkPnadbH3bHBxWDf/a-delayed-epiphany-on-motivation |
# Meditation, insight, and rationality. (Part 2 of 3)
This post is the second in a series; you can read the first [here](/lw/5h9/meditation_insight_and_rationality_part_1_of_3/).
I have already given a brief overview of what the goal of a particular style of meditation is, and why some individuals in this community m... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/QjoTFHzvrxQg9A6j3/meditation-insight-and-rationality-part-2-of-3 |
# Your Evolved Intuitions
Part of the sequence: [Rationality and Philosophy](http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Rationality_and_Philosophy)
We have already examined one source of our intuitions: [attribute substitution heuristics](/lw/531/how_you_make_judgments_the_elephant_and_its_rider/). Today we examine a second sour... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/WTS4ZbEwvKrcrnaaN/your-evolved-intuitions |
# GiveWell.org interviews SIAI
Holden Karnofsky of [GiveWell.org](http://www.givewell.org/) interviewed Jasen Murray of [SIAI](http://intelligence.org/) and [published his notes](http://groups.yahoo.com/group/givewell/message/270) (Edit: [PDF](http://commonsenseatheism.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/siai-2011-02-III.p... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/EyFNgmgkB6rZcgNrv/givewell-org-interviews-siai |
# Experiment Idea Thread - Spring 2011
This is an idea that just occurred to me. We have a large community of people who think about scientific problems recreationally, many of whom are in no position to go around investigating them. Hopefully, however, some other community members _are_ in a position to go around in... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/2WsLgGKEDkoBQ9Q7f/experiment-idea-thread-spring-2011 |
# Intuition and Unconscious Learning
Part of the sequence: [Rationality and Philosophy](http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Rationality_and_Philosophy)
We have already examined two sources of our intuitions: the [attribute substitution heuristics](/lw/531/how_you_make_judgments_the_elephant_and_its_rider/) and our [evolve... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/6Cc3TWZjAnrNWokWY/intuition-and-unconscious-learning |
# The Power of Agency
You are not a Bayesian [homunculus](http://commonsenseatheism.com/?p=8844) whose reasoning is 'corrupted' by cognitive biases.
You just _are_ cognitive biases.
You just _are_ [attribution substitution heuristics](/lw/531/how_you_make_judgments_the_elephant_and_its_rider/), [evolved intuitions](... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/vbcjYg6h3XzuqaaN8/the-power-of-agency |
# The 5-Second Level
To develop methods of teaching rationality skills, you need to learn to focus on mental events that occur in 5 seconds or less. Most of what you want to teach is directly on this level; the rest consists of chaining together skills on this level.
As our first example, let's take the vital ration... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/JcpzFpPBSmzuksmWM/the-5-second-level |
# Beginning resources for CEV research
I've been working on [metaethics/CEV research](http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/No-Nonsense_Metaethics) for a couple months now (publishing mostly [prerequisite](http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Intuitions_and_Philosophy) [material](/lw/4z7/the_neuroscience_of_desire/)) and figured I... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/jN2gbDRJHTtXYSdhY/beginning-resources-for-cev-research |
# Karma Bubble Fix (Greasemonkey script)
I wrote a [greasemonkey script](http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/102429) that fixes the problem with Karma bubble that prevents you from seeing the last digits of Karma for big Karma values. You can install it from [userscripts site](http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/10242... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/FQRy2yxzTqPBK6Xyx/karma-bubble-fix-greasemonkey-script |
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