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# Rational Humanist Music
*Edit: Since posting this, I've gone on to found a* [*rationalist singalong holiday*](https://www.lesswrong.com/tag/secular-solstice) *and get an album produced, available at* [*humanistculture.bandcamp.com*](humanistculture.bandcamp.com)
Something that's bothered me a lot lately is a lack o... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/jyDTh9vnmczuNNxgt/rational-humanist-music |
# Rewriting the sequences?
If this has been discussed before, then I ask for patience, and a point in the right direction.
I have been a lurker on Lesswrong for a while, and have mostly just been reading things, and only commenting occasionally. It wasn't long before I realised that the sequences played a very import... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/zEm5B4t3Sonj8PySN/rewriting-the-sequences |
# Quantum computing for the determined (Link)
> 21 videos, which cover subjects including the basic model of quantum computing, entanglement, superdense coding, and quantum teleportation.
>
> To work through the videos you need to be comfortable with basic linear algebra, and with assimilating new mathematical termin... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/GjDQgyGhZ4EepW3YR/quantum-computing-for-the-determined-link |
# What do bad clothes signal about you?
Yesterday I attended a meetup where the discussion turned to fashion for a time (because apparently the mini-camp participants were given some instructions on fashion as a useful part of instrumental rationality). (Unfortunately none of us knew much about the topic so the discus... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/BWH7KqJcw2MWSBPdc/what-do-bad-clothes-signal-about-you |
# Malice, Stupidity, or Egalité Irréfléchie?
Anyone who has decided to strike off the mainstream path has experienced this: Strong admonitions and warnings against what they were doing, and pressures not do it.
It doesn’t really matter what it is you’re trying to change. If you’re trying to become a nondrinker in a d... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/qhbjHtmyKRr8vXNQs/malice-stupidity-or-egalite-irreflechie |
# Model Uncertainty, Pascalian Reasoning and Utilitarianism
**Related to:** [Confidence levels inside and outside an argument](/lw/3be/confidence_levels_inside_and_outside_an_argument/), [Making your explicit reasoning trustworthy](/lw/2yp/making_your_explicit_reasoning_trustworthy/)
A mode of reasoning that sometime... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/78G9pjYM2KohErCvJ/model-uncertainty-pascalian-reasoning-and-utilitarianism |
# Rationality Boot Camp
We have been at Rationality Boot Camp for nearly a week (Jasen has decided it should be renamed "megacamp", but since everyone here has probably heard of it under the name Boot Camp, I'll stick with that).
So far, it has been quite a lot of fun certainly a fair amount more than I expect I woul... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/Pp3T4KMjqwjQHk8a9/rationality-boot-camp-0 |
# Suspended animation/hibernation: would you use it if it were available?
[This TED talk](http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/mark_roth_suspended_animation.html) on suspended animation by Mark Roth captivated me when I first saw it last year, and I have been eagerly trying to follow developments on the subject ever sinc... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/JWgKMoNRuGZvivpEC/suspended-animation-hibernation-would-you-use-it-if-it-were |
# Trial and error in policy making
I’m working in government in the UK, and interested in rationality in policy making: at the individual level, but also how we can build systems (in terms of requirements during policy creation, creation of independent bodies, incentive structures for officials/ministers…) that encour... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/CATRAeczQMveSeziS/trial-and-error-in-policy-making |
# Q&A with Jürgen Schmidhuber on risks from AI
**\[[Click here to see a list of all interviews](http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Interview_series_on_risks_from_AI)\]**
I am emailing experts in order to raise and estimate the academic awareness and perception of risks from AI.
Below you will find some thoughts on the t... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/BEtQALqgXmL9d9SfE/q-and-a-with-juergen-schmidhuber-on-risks-from-ai |
# N-back news: Jaeggi 2011, or, is there a psychologist/statistician in the house?
Following up on the [2010 study](/lw/2u4/dual_nback_news/), Jaeggi and University of Michigan people have run a Single N-back study on 60 or so children.
* Abstract: [http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2011/06/03/1103228108.abstract](... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/WDcXoMdFxkSXPSrwR/n-back-news-jaeggi-2011-or-is-there-a-psychologist |
# Discussion: Socially Awkward Penguin as a tool for unraveling social enigmas
So I was there being my [rationalist-with-akrasia-issues](http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Akrasia), nerdy, awkward self who studies [acting](http://theorderofcabbage.com/forums/index.php?topic=6543.0), [singing](http://www.buzzsugar.com/Vide... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/nc59DGmeGw6xYAtTd/discussion-socially-awkward-penguin-as-a-tool-for-unraveling |
# Q&A with Shane Legg on risks from AI
**\[[Click here to see a list of all interviews](http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Interview_series_on_risks_from_AI)\]**
I am emailing experts in order to raise and estimate the academic awareness and perception of risks from AI.
Below you will find some thoughts on the topic by ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/No5JpRCHzBrWA4jmS/q-and-a-with-shane-legg-on-risks-from-ai |
# Amateur Cryonics (one guy packed in dry ice) Festival Seeks Buyer
[http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci\_18282009?source=most\_viewed](http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_18282009?source=most_viewed)
I'd imagine the efficacy is halfway between proper cryonics and embalming and burying; t... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/gMDLLbizjB5C8Anyj/amateur-cryonics-one-guy-packed-in-dry-ice-festival-seeks |
# [prize] new contest for Spaced Repetition literature review ($365+)
**Update**: the prize is now [finished](/lw/76h/spaced_repetition_literature_review_prize_and_the/)!
The [previous contest](/lw/62t/prize_spaced_repetition_literature_review/) was poorly formatted for eliciting the most useful reviews of the spaced... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/uR4r3eZZqLmjZDqFj/prize-new-contest-for-spaced-repetition-literature-review |
# Help Request: Cryonics Policies
I’m hoping to sign up for cryonics when I can afford it, and I’m not sure which agency and treatment plan to get.
As of [this Cryonics institute document](http://www.cryonics.org/comparisons.html), whole-body suspension with Alcor costs $200,000. Neurosuspension costs $80,000. With t... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/vZWyDSya93SkTAnTE/help-request-cryonics-policies |
# Why No Wireheading?
I've been thinking about wireheading and the nature of my values. [Many](/lw/lb/not_for_the_sake_of_happiness_alone/) [people](/lw/65w/not_for_the_sake_of_pleasure_alone/) [here](/lw/15c/would_your_real_preferences_please_stand_up) have defended the importance of external referents or complex des... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/RcPZbMuSbJAXPCRRA/why-no-wireheading |
# What are the best news sources to read for *insightful* discussions?
I generally agree with Bryan Caplan that [news is generally useless](http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2011/03/the_case_agains_6.html ):
However, there are some analytical sources of news that are exceptions.
Personally, what I find most stimul... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/cX3WPouR2xk4kcdbs/what-are-the-best-news-sources-to-read-for-insightful |
# Much-Better-Life Simulator™ - Sales Conversation
**Related to:** [A Much Better Life?](/lw/1op/a_much_better_life/)
**Reply to:** [Why No Wireheading?](/lw/69r/why_no_wireheading/)
### The Sales Conversation
**Sales girl:** Our _Much-Better-Life Simulator_™ is going to provide the most enjoyable life you could ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/j2YgGyTuhtSpH9gR9/much-better-life-simulator-tm-sales-conversation |
# Foma: Beliefs that Cause Themselves to be True
tl;dr: Sometimes it seems like in order to accomplish something, you need to hold a particular belief. However, the effect of your beliefs on what you accomplish can be screened off from what you actually do.
Also, thank you to Benquo for reading over a rough draft of ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/ckYGaqaq5kXz4oMvY/foma-beliefs-that-cause-themselves-to-be-true |
# The proper use of regret?
Bryan Caplan in [Parenthood as the Trump of All Past Regret](http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2008/06/parenthood_as_t.html) explains: whatever tiny alterations he makes to his life before he had his children, would result in him not having the precise children he has today whom he so dea... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/6BXXwLRDYQGZSy6wo/the-proper-use-of-regret |
# Two working memories, one on each side of the brain [link]
[Not a working memory of four, it's really two plus two.](http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110620161313.htm)
Tl, dr: It's easier to remember four things if you've got two on one side of your visual field and two on the other. Three or four on on... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/urfRynQT7cNkTmuBh/two-working-memories-one-on-each-side-of-the-brain-link |
# The Present State of Bitcoin
Last Sunday, the largest BitCoin exchange, MtGox, was broken into. Reported details are complicated and possibly unreliable, but a fair amount is known. Trading is suspended while the exchange's source code is checked for vulnerabilities. All MtGox accounts are being put through a verifi... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/8MGXg6xbLwBsHHSoM/the-present-state-of-bitcoin |
# So, I guess the site redesign is live?
I saw some discussion posts earlier talking about a LessWrong redesign, and now that things look different, I guess that it's been implemented. I'm always slightly annoyed for a while when a site I use gets redesigned because I have to relearn where everything is, but it eventu... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/NNNKB4SczTggjTQZm/so-i-guess-the-site-redesign-is-live |
# Charles Stross: Three arguments against the singularity
I periodically get email from folks who, having read "Accelerando", assume I am some kind of fire-breathing extropian zealot who believes in the imminence of the singularity, the uploading of the libertarians, and the rapture of the nerds. I find this mildly di... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/FYWbbhtoHKsK6zDHZ/charles-stross-three-arguments-against-the-singularity |
# [Link] Does a Simulation Really Need to Be Run?
[http://blog.regehr.org/archives/546](http://blog.regehr.org/archives/546)
John Regehr, an associate professor of computer science at the University of Utah, writes about two algorithmic optimizations for [Conway's Game of Life](https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/R8GvodpvYfLke6RBS/link-does-a-simulation-really-need-to-be-run |
# Karma threshold for meetup organisers?
A spambot has apparently [attacked](/meetups/6) the meetup section. Since the problems with bots in the discussion section have disappeared after minimal karma requirements were introduced, I suspect that similar limits were omitted for meetup organising. This should be easy to... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/SAZJzy62ofkeZiu6S/karma-threshold-for-meetup-organisers |
# HPMoR Podcast Over 9000 = New Trailer
The Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality audiobook/podcast exceeded nine thousand total downloads last night! Over 800 per episode on average. In celebration I put together another trailer. :) This one is taken from Chapter 7, the most popular chapter so far. I like to th... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/8AiExho37nPd5D3r7/hpmor-podcast-over-9000-new-trailer |
# HP:MoR: request for Reliable Sources
For the last few weeks, I have been engaged in a slow motion edit war on the [Wikipedia Eliezer Yudkowsky article](https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Eliezer_Yudkowsky), about including discussion of HP:MoR. The [specific text](https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/e... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/PgsHvzajJwZd9paZD/hp-mor-request-for-reliable-sources |
# Recent site changes
Recent site changes have generated more unhappiness than I expected. This post is a brief note to share resources that will make it easier for concerned site users to track what's happening and what we intend.
1. First, know that [we're listening](/user/matt). We'll make further site changes ne... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/GsFvD9dpmX4QCCX9k/recent-site-changes |
# SIAI’s Short-Term Research Program
One of the reasons that I am skeptical of contributing money to the SIAI is that I simply don't know what they would do with more money. The SIAI currently seems to be viable. Another reason is that I believe that an [empirical approach](http://opencog.org/) is required, that we ne... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/7AQ5SoJkN5hDGnhSw/siai-s-short-term-research-program |
# Reductionism reading list
* Yudkowsky, [Reductionism sequence](http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Reductionism_(sequence)) (2008)
* Ladyman et al., _[Every Thing Must Go: Metaphysics Naturalized](http://www.amazon.com/Every-Thing-Must-Metaphysics-Naturalized/dp/0199573093/)_ (2007)
* Bickle, _[Philosophy and Neuro... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/948wrfZxXGWpndb3k/reductionism-reading-list |
# Exclude the supernatural? My worldview is up for grabs.
**Background**
I was raised in the Churches of Christ and my family is all very serious about Christianity. About 3 years ago, I started to ask some hard questions, and the answers from other Christians were very unsatisfying. I used to believe that the Bible ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/u6yjpggu4ezsQGDya/exclude-the-supernatural-my-worldview-is-up-for-grabs |
# Entangled with Reality: The Shoelace Example
Less Wrong veterans be warned: this is an exercise in going [back to the basics of rationality](/lw/3mm/back_to_the_basics_of_rationality/).
Yudkowsky once [wrote](/lw/jl/what_is_evidence/):
> What is evidence? It is an event entangled, by links of cause and effect, wi... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/fKiTt55jEiTFK5prp/entangled-with-reality-the-shoelace-example |
# Music: The 21st Century Monads
> **The 21^st^ Century Monads** are an international musical collaboration whose songs address fundamental issues in philosophy, including specialized topics in contemporary analytic philosophy and the history of philosophy. The musical genres range from dance to folk. The songs are un... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/gWdPEJFegP4vMttoj/music-the-21st-century-monads |
# The Ideological Turing Test
[Bryan Caplan](http://econlog.econlib.org/archives/2011/06/the_ideological.html):
[Mill states it well](http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/show/66643): "He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that." If someone can correctly explain a position but continue to disagree wi... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/PH47N6uTdtbLAHrAr/the-ideological-turing-test |
# Discussion: Yudkowsky's actual accomplishments besides divulgation
Basically this: "Eliezer Yudkowsky writes and pretends he's an AI researcher but probably hasn't written so much as an Eliza bot."
While the Eliezer S. Yudkowsky site has lots of divulgation articles and his work on rationality is of indisputable v... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/dokw8bHND9ujPrSAT/discussion-yudkowsky-s-actual-accomplishments-besides |
# Review of Doris, 'The Moral Psychology Handbook' (2010)
[The Moral Psychology Handbook](http://www.amazon.com/Moral-Psychology-Handbook-John-Doris/dp/0199582149/) (2010), edited by John Doris, is probably the best way to become familiar with the exciting interdisciplinary field of [moral psychology](http://plato.sta... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/KPEMeKRHNG4wXkZ72/review-of-doris-the-moral-psychology-handbook-2010 |
# The True Rejection Challenge
An exercise:
Name something that you do not do but should/wish you did/are told you ought, or that you do less than is normally recommended. (For instance, "exercise" or "eat vegetables".)
Make an exhaustive list of your sufficient conditions for avoiding this thing. (If you suspect ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/yJW5R4gveFvzvac8g/the-true-rejection-challenge |
# Competitive Essay Writing
Quick report on an anti-akrasia method [NMJablonski](/user/NMJablonski/) and I tried out: Competitive Essay Writing. Two (or more) people have something they need to write (but may not particularly want to)- everyone gets on a IM client and every thirty minutes reports how many words they'v... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/cSTmtu6Nc9EqvkpX6/competitive-essay-writing |
# The RPG Thread
I thought maybe playing RPG's might help us get to know each other outside meet-ups. Specifically, I found [this particular game](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ptitlele3vpxbe) of interest to this community: it is in many ways the antithesis of everything we stand for... which is why I thi... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/XYrdTbXNdZbbTKSyy/the-rpg-thread |
# Biomedical engineers analyze—and duplicate—the neural mechanism of learning in rats [link]
[Restoring Memory, Repairing Damaged Brains (article @ PR Newswire)](http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/usc-restoring-memory-repairing-damaged-brains-124051534.html)
> Using an electronic system that duplicates the neura... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/rGDkzQrnybSkwGifW/biomedical-engineers-analyze-and-duplicate-the-neural |
# Learning how to explain things
We've learned not to expect short [inferential distances](/lw/kg/expecting_short_inferential_distances/) when explaining ideas we understand. We've also learned that leaping too far ahead when explaining ideas like transhumanism can [freak people out](http://www.sl4.org/shocklevels.htm... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/99mHEgk2NAk2eveZE/learning-how-to-explain-things |
# Cryonics facility coming to Texas?
It seems that the non-profit Stasis Foundation is planning to build a cryopreservation "castle" (dubbed the "Timeship") in the San Antonio area. My parents pointed me to [this article](http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Frozen-in-time-1427875.php), which was carri... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/nd9NGFeSMjvfSPbRx/cryonics-facility-coming-to-texas |
# Observed Pascal's Mugging
When I first read about [Pascal's Mugging](/lw/kd/pascals_mugging_tiny_probabilities_of_vast/ "Pascal's Mugging"), it stuck in my brain. I knew that I had seen something like this occur in real life, though I couldn't quite place the specifics at the time. Then it hit me- chain letters ar... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/yp677NmCjjrpstYhs/observed-pascal-s-mugging |
# The scope of "free will" within biology?
I've recently read through Eliezer's [sequence on "free will"](http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Free_will_%28solution%29), and I generally found it to be a fairly satisfying resolution/dissolution of the many misunderstandings involved in standard debates about the subject. The... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/qii3Dfu5mjaKGKzcx/the-scope-of-free-will-within-biology |
# Is it possible to prevent the torture of ems?
When I was reading [The Seven Biggest Dick Moves in the History of Gaming](http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-7-biggest-dick-moves-in-history-online-gaming/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=fanpage&utm_campaign=new+article&wa_ibsrc=fanpage), I was struck by the number of peop... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/6ssARXJut22DShdE2/is-it-possible-to-prevent-the-torture-of-ems |
# Index of Yvain's (Excellent) Articles
[Yvain](/user/Yvain/) is one of Less Wrong's best and most prolific writers. I suspect many Less Wrongers haven't read his posts. Here's an index of Yvain's articles (not including [meta](/lw/de/excuse_me_would_you_like_to_take_a_survey/) [posts](/lw/di/bayesian_cabaret/), ranke... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/xaLHeoRPdb9oQgDEy/index-of-yvain-s-excellent-articles |
# I'm becoming intolerant. Help.
Basically, I cannot stand people who will not bow to the Truth.
I always had this trait, but I noticed lately that it is becoming worse, and has [consequences](http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion_talk:Spell_Stacking#Umm.._Stacking.3F). Ironically, the main trigger seems to be the seque... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/3tKAYarkXTg9Yq3nQ/i-m-becoming-intolerant-help |
# Reasons for being rational
When I found Less Wrong and started reading, when I made my first post, when I went to my first meetup….
It was a little like coming home.
And mostly it wasn’t. Mostly I felt a lot _more_ out of place than I have in, say, church youth groups. It was hard to pinpoint the difference, but a... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/JogmRwWLWwTMCecy9/reasons-for-being-rational |
# Khan Academy: Introduction to programming and computer science
[Khan Academy](http://www.khanacademy.org/) now also features a [Computer Science](http://www.khanacademy.org/#computer-science) category. There are not many lessons yet but about 3 new videos are being added each day. They are going to add CS [exercises... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/6we6aPS5KnHgSE9BT/khan-academy-introduction-to-programming-and-computer |
# People neglect small probability events
Over at overcomingbias Robin Hanson wrote:
> On September 9, 1713, so the story goes, Nicholas Bernoulli proposed the following problem in the theory of games of chance, after 1768 known as the St Petersburg paradox …:
>
> Peter tosses a coin and continues to do so until it ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/R2uQdr8EJFvFRQrNE/people-neglect-small-probability-events |
# Not for the Sake of Selfishness Alone
Related: [Fake Selfishness](/lw/kx/fake_selfishness/), [Not for the Sake of Pleasure Alone](/lw/65w/not_for_the_sake_of_pleasure_alone/), [Not for the Sake of Happiness (Alone)](/lw/lb/not_for_the_sake_of_happiness_alone/), [Value is Fragile](/lw/y3/value_is_fragile/), [Fake Fak... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/CkW3ambqR9MRaspw7/not-for-the-sake-of-selfishness-alone |
# Is it cool if I post responses/thoughts as I read through the sequences?
I have poked around here on and off but someone recently led me back to the site. After taking the long break, I am ready to jump back into the sequences but have a favor to ask. Is it okay if I post my thoughts on each as I read them in the co... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/MRHNjGTprWo8yEYWa/is-it-cool-if-i-post-responses-thoughts-as-i-read-through |
# Volunteers needed to work on LessWrong's public goods problem
I want to figure out how to solve LessWrong's [public goods](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_good) problem. There are lots of projects that lots of people are moderately interested in but not interested enough to do themselves. For example:
* Furth... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/ZbBM2gkAsSrX5gbmx/volunteers-needed-to-work-on-lesswrong-s-public-goods |
# Gender and Libido
[There was a historical shift in beliefs.](http://noseriouslywhatabouttehmenz.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/on-libido-part-two/)
> But the one we’re concerned with is that women’s libidos went from being considered as powerful or more so than men’s to being essentially erased. Pre-Renaissance examples ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/L6BqLKw29HYM75fin/gender-and-libido |
# Hanson Debating Yudkowsky, Jun 2011
> On Wednesday I debated my ex-co-blogger Eliezer Yudkowsky at a private _Jane Street Capital_ event (crude audio [here](http://hanson.gmu.edu/ppt/JaneStreetDebate2011.WMA), from 4:45; better video [here](http://hanson.gmu.edu/ppt/JaneStreetDebate2011vid.wmv) \[as of July 14\]... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/8vbdEWLHnjB7EwdbA/hanson-debating-yudkowsky-jun-2011 |
# Has SIAI/FHI considered putting up prizes for contributions to important problems?
Because of my interest in reducing [LessWrong's public goods problem](/r/discussion/lw/6h5/volunteers_needed_to_work_on_lesswrongs_public/), I've been [reading about prizes](http://www.mckinsey.com/clientservice/Social_Sector/our_prac... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/MvYZtByqu5bG3MN5t/has-siai-fhi-considered-putting-up-prizes-for-contributions |
# Are search engines perpetuating our biases?
One of the great things about the internet is that there is a social group for almost every interest. Pick an unusual hobby or ideology, and there is probably an online community centered around it. This is especially wonderful for those of us who never quite fit in to m... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/nwSBDqTQF2c7g6rwJ/are-search-engines-perpetuating-our-biases |
# Recent site changes, Mon 4th July
We've pushed out some new changes, including a front page. Promoted articles are now available at [http://lesswrong.com/promoted/](/promoted/) and from the MAIN link in the top nav.
Most of the recent changes were requested [here](/r/discussion/lw/6b1/so_i_guess_the_site_redesign_i... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/pLLAFonTMqhX9bsas/recent-site-changes-mon-4th-july |
# Richard Dawkins on vivisection: "But can they suffer?"
> The great moral philosopher Jeremy Bentham, founder of utilitarianism, famously said,'The question is not, "Can they reason?" nor, "Can they talk?" but rather, "Can they suffer?" Most people get the point, but they treat _human_ pain as especially worrying bec... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/Y8BAxjaMMhpwaKifz/richard-dawkins-on-vivisection-but-can-they-suffer |
# Behaviorism: Beware Anthropomorphizing Humans
**Related to:** [The Comedy of Behaviorism](/lw/sr/the_comedy_of_behaviorism/)
Behaviorism's gotten a bad rap.
It's gone down in history as the school founded upon the idea that there's no such thing as mental phenomena or cognitive processing, and if there are we ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/EgDpZS4HHeh5vqJPe/behaviorism-beware-anthropomorphizing-humans |
# The Blue-Minimizing Robot
Imagine a robot with a turret-mounted camera and laser. Each moment, it is programmed to move forward a certain distance and perform a sweep with its camera. As it sweeps, the robot continuously analyzes the average RGB value of the pixels in the camera image; if the blue component passes a... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/hQHuXuRGZxxWXaPgg/the-blue-minimizing-robot |
# Open Problems
([Inspired by](http://web.archive.org/web/20090110010052/http://apperceptual.wordpress.com/2007/12/18/open-problems/).)
Einstein's [four fundamental papers](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annus_Mirabilis_papers) of 1905 were [inspired](http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2005/02/28/050228crat_atlarge?print... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/kuztF8JPXHtJxm6mj/open-problems |
# Basics of Animal Reinforcement
Behaviorism historically began with Pavlov's studies into classical conditioning. When dogs see food they naturally salivate. When Pavlov rang a bell before giving the dogs food, the dogs learned to associate the bell with the food and salivate even after they merely heard the bell . W... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/EMJ3egz48BtZS8Pws/basics-of-animal-reinforcement |
# Find yourself a Worthy Opponent: a Chavruta
You've been on Less Wrong for a while. You've become very good at a lot of stuff. Specifically, _arguing_. You win arguments. All the time. Effortlessly. And the worst part is, you often win for the wrong reasons. Perhaps there were counters to your propositions. Perhaps y... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/AZJhBqBvdMCH4oLSP/find-yourself-a-worthy-opponent-a-chavruta |
# Basics of Human Reinforcement
Today: some more concepts from reinforcement learning and some discussion on their applicability to human behavior.
For example: most humans do things even when they seem unlikely to result in delicious sugar water. Is this a violation of behaviorist principles?
No. For one thing,... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/BfaAADSQ88cuxLQoD/basics-of-human-reinforcement |
# Outline of possible Singularity scenarios (that are not completely disastrous)
Suppose we could look into the future of our Everett branch and pick out those sub-branches in which humanity and/or human/moral values have survived past the Singularity in some form. What would we see if we then went backwards in time a... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/B5MBrP558Cfs2cwB5/outline-of-possible-singularity-scenarios-that-are-not |
# How to annoy misanthropes and bleeding-hearts
Related to [Not for the Sake of Selfishness Alone](/lw/6dz/not_for_the_sake_of_selfishness_alone), [Crime and Punishment](/lw/4x9/crime_and_punishment/), and [Separate morality from free will](/lw/4xu/separate_morality_from_free_will).
Here is a simple method for resolv... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/uBDNgcYQtT3fee6Ao/how-to-annoy-misanthropes-and-bleeding-hearts |
# An Outside View on Less Wrong's Advice
**Related to**: [Intellectual Hipsters](/lw/2pv/intellectual_hipsters_and_metacontrarianism/), [X-Rationality: Not So Great](/lw/9p/extreme_rationality_its_not_that_great/), [The Importance of Self-Doubt](/lw/2lr/the_importance_of_selfdoubt/), [That Other Kind of Status,](/lw/1... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/cPhFhjCxrfoLxxs32/an-outside-view-on-less-wrong-s-advice |
# An explanation of Aumann's agreement theorem
I've written up a 2-page explanation and proof of Aumann's agreement theorem. [Here is a direct link](https://www.dropbox.com/s/u04zqlacpcenqvd/Aumann_agreement_theorem.pdf) to the pdf via Dropbox.
The proof in Aumann's original paper is already very short and accessibl... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/8h5Tz593J2hvKG9Pe/an-explanation-of-aumann-s-agreement-theorem |
# Distracting wolves and real estate agents
I'm starting the process of looking for a house to buy. The first thing every real estate agent says you need to do is to sign an exclusive contract with a real estate agent before they take you to look at houses.
I spoke to some co-workers, and none of them signed the con... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/99LEuFdbnshJ8DytF/distracting-wolves-and-real-estate-agents |
# Time and Effort Discounting
**Related to:** [Akrasia, hyperbolic discounting, and picoeconomics](/lw/6c/akrasia_hyperbolic_discounting_and_picoeconomics/)
If you're tired of studies where you inevitably get deceived, electric shocked, or tricked into developing a sexual attraction to penny jars, you might want to s... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/7iDtkfyn322nPzTP4/time-and-effort-discounting |
# A Suggested Reading Order for Less Wrong [2011]
Less Wrong contains over four thousand posts. This is awesome. For newcomers, however, it's quite intimidating. Rather than leave newcomers to figure out which posts are worth reading themselves, we provide some guidance, in the form of suggested reading orders. Previo... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/JKnLHkKtfpJxPXArd/a-suggested-reading-order-for-less-wrong-2011 |
# Experiment: Knox case debate with Rolf Nelson
Recently, on the main section of the site, [Raw_Power](/user/Raw_Power) posted an [article](/lw/6j1/find_yourself_a_worthy_opponent_a_chavruta/) suggesting that we find "worthy opponents" to help us avoid mistakes.
As you may recall, [Rolf Nelson disagrees with me about... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/DuSAWuo2vNuSuctQN/experiment-knox-case-debate-with-rolf-nelson |
# AI-Box Experiment - The Acausal Trade Argument
[The AI-Box Experiment](http://yudkowsky.net/singularity/aibox)
I suspect that the argument that convinced Carl Shulman and others to let the AI out of the box was along general lines of acausal trade (see [here](/lw/2cp/open_thread_june_2010_part_3/25qn), [here](/lw/2... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/DYcXRiJWiAtbXxNA5/ai-box-experiment-the-acausal-trade-argument |
# The Sequences in MP3 Format
I can drive and listen, but I can't drive and read! The same is true for most kinds of exercise.
If you are in my situation - wanting to read the sequences without having enough time - feel free to download [these audio files](http://www.yakitome.com/cgi-bin/output.py?filter=user&usrID=... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/wYCRzunQsyCS7eqse/the-sequences-in-mp3-format |
# Guardian column on ugh fields, mentions LW
[http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jul/08/change-your-life-ugh-fields](http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jul/08/change-your-life-ugh-fields)
> In 1920, in a jaw-droppingly unethical experiment that's mainly remembered today as an example of how not to c... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/iQ6FQM6T36Kv3huhv/guardian-column-on-ugh-fields-mentions-lw |
# Thinking without words?
Before language, people must have thought without words. I often have the impression that I have a thought fully-formed in my head, yet I wait to listen to it unfold in words before moving on to the next thought. Perhaps I could think much faster if I weren't addicted to words.
Has anyone ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/KbsHWuAYfAcEkcJT6/thinking-without-words |
# Wanting vs. Liking Revisited
In [Are Wireheads Happy?](/lw/1lb/are_wireheads_happy/) I discussed the difference between wanting something and liking something. More recently, Luke went deeper into some of the science in his post [Not for the Sake of Pleasure Alone](/lw/65w/not_for_the_sake_of_pleasure_alone/).
... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/eaczwARbFnrisFx8E/wanting-vs-liking-revisited |
# Prospect Theory: A Framework for Understanding Cognitive Biases
**Related to:** [Shane Legg on Prospect Theory and Computational Finance](/lw/115/shane_legg_on_prospect_theory_and_computational/)
This post is on prospect theory partly because it fits the theme of replacing simple utility functions with complicated ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/LQp9cZPzJncFKh5c8/prospect-theory-a-framework-for-understanding-cognitive |
# Physical and Mental Behavior
B.F. Skinner called thoughts "mental behavior". He believed they could be rewarded and punished just like physical behavior, and that they increased or declined in frequency accordingly.
Sadly, psychology has not yet advanced to the point where we can give people electric shocks for... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/5dhWhjfxn4tPfFQdi/physical-and-mental-behavior |
# Community norm question: brief text ad signatures
I've written several posts on this site, many of which were promoted to the front page. Some of my writings have been quite popular. Looking through the Google Analytics stats for this site showed that my writing has had at least 50 000 unique views over time. The fu... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/Qe2adSZWdjqL4SrHg/community-norm-question-brief-text-ad-signatures |
# Other Useful Sites LWers Read
There seems to be a lot of knowledge that LessWrongers have which is fairly awesome, but not particularly well-covered on Less Wrong.
What other sites do people recommend?
I originally came to LW through HN, and Paul Graham was somewhat influential on my early high school thoughts.
*... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/a9EwEkSkz3wHqcitY/other-useful-sites-lwers-read |
# Voluntary Behavior, Conscious Thoughts
Skinner proposes a surprisingly easy way to dissolve the problem of what it means for an action to be "voluntary", or "under voluntary control".
We commonly perceive certain actions as under voluntary control: for example, I can control what words I'm typing right now, or ... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/cTQRGJTQ2eGKm5G9g/voluntary-behavior-conscious-thoughts |
# Having Useful Conversations
Holding conversations in person is useful; feedback is quick, and it seems to be much easier to change your behavior as a result of actually talking with people.
Having effective goal-oriented conversations is somewhat difficult. One source of difficulty is a strong tendency to stray fr... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/CCriujRF39gWF5xAw/having-useful-conversations |
# ALCOR finances
Mike Darwin has posted some financial history of Alcor in a post, ["The Armories of the Latter Day Laputas, Part 5"](http://chronopause.com/index.php/2011/07/11/the-armories-of-the-latter-day-laputas-part-5/). While there were some errors (see [the comments](http://chronopause.com/index.php/2011/07/11... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/iPK8AezgksW8N7N5Z/alcor-finances |
# Follow-up on ESP study: "We don't publish replications"
Related to: [Parapsychology: the control group for science](/lw/1ib/parapsychology_the_control_group_for_science/), [Dealing with the high quantity of scientific error in medicine](/lw/2y3/dealing_with_the_high_quantity_of_scientific/)
Some of you may remember... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/b9vvmMn2kF76aThHn/follow-up-on-esp-study-we-don-t-publish-replications |
# Trivers on Self-Deception
People usually have good guesses about the origins of their behavior. If they eat, we believe them when they say it was because they were hungry; if they go to a concert, we believe them when they say they like the music, or want to go out with their friends. We usually assume people's self... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/DSnamjnW7Ad8vEEKd/trivers-on-self-deception |
# A funny argument for traditional morality
I just had a long conversation with my brother, a devout Christian. With my help he has outlined the following argument why it might be good for me to follow Christian [deontology](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deontological_ethics):
1. Many of my moral values arose from my... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/GtaN4YQmXcgwEtLfL/a-funny-argument-for-traditional-morality |
# Some Thoughts on Singularity Strategies
Followup to: [Outline of possible Singularity scenarios (that are not completely disastrous)](/lw/6j9/outline_of_possible_singularity_scenarios_that/)
Given that the [Singularity](http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Technological_singularity) and [being strategic](/lw/2p5/humans_a... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/73SotZnDbsYpxfnuQ/some-thoughts-on-singularity-strategies |
# Do not ask what rationalists should do
Recently there has been a couple of articles in the discussion page asking whether rationalists should do action A. Now such questions are not uninteresting, but by saying "rationalist" they are poorly phrased.
The rational decision at any time is the decision, given a human w... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/LdLLrkQfQG5xmCFbo/do-not-ask-what-rationalists-should-do |
# [Link] Computer improves its Civilization II gameplay by reading the manual
[Press release](http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2011/language-from-games-0712.html)
> Computers are great at treating words as data: Word-processing programs let you rearrange and format text however you like, and search engines can quickly f... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/fJ7CDDHFZDnz8TjdE/link-computer-improves-its-civilization-ii-gameplay-by |
# "A good volunteer is hard to find"
From the [GiveWell blog](http://blog.givewell.org/), which is often interesting & applicable to our interests, comes [a post on the quality of their volunteers](http://blog.givewell.org/2011/07/13/a-good-volunteer-is-hard-to-find/):
> "In our experience, valuable volunteers are ra... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/ZWxE96G84m6LotXfg/a-good-volunteer-is-hard-to-find |
# Cognitive Load from simple computations
[From Ken Burnside, a game designer](http://esr.ibiblio.org/?p=3481#comment-314050)
> Counting is easier than addition.
>
> Addition is easier than subtraction.
>
> Subtraction can be done, but combining addition and subtraction into the same game mechanic will slow down pl... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/Hv9geFW46z9YT84vn/cognitive-load-from-simple-computations |
# Rationality Market Research
Several weeks ago, the NYC Rationality Meetup Group began discussing outreach, both for rationality in general and the group in particular. A lot of interesting problems were brought up. Should we be targeting the average person, or sticking to the cluster of personality-types that Less... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/ousEiGAmLEoJq2Reb/rationality-market-research |
# Rationalist Judo, or Using the Availability Heuristic to Win
During the sessions at the [2011 rationality minicamp](http://intelligence.org/blog/2011/06/21/rationality-minicamp-a-success/), we learned that some of our [biases](http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Bias) can be used constructively, rather than just tolerate... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/ztEcQtZsjXnqLc3xB/rationalist-judo-or-using-the-availability-heuristic-to-win |
# I just donated to the SIAI.
My purpose in writing this is twofold.
First (chronologically: I thought of this earlier than the other), I want to discuss some of the pragmatic points in how I got myself to do it.
The most important thing is that I _didn't_ try to force the decision through with willpower. Instead, I... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/RPXeq42hwPGNeofKo/i-just-donated-to-the-siai |
# AGI/FAI Theorist for Hire
I'm nearing the end of my employment at SIAI and looking for my next gig. If all else fails I will likely move back to the Bay area (I am currently in Japan) and take a job as a programmer somewhere. However, I would prefer to focus my attention directly on developing AGI and FAI theory. In... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/w4vMd5McLfpA9zEvt/agi-fai-theorist-for-hire |
# To what degree do we have goals?
**Related:** [Three Fallacies of Teleology](/lw/te/three_fallacies_of_teleology/)
**NO NEGOTIATION WITH UNCONSCIOUS**
Back when I was younger and stupider, I discussed some points similar to the ones raised in yesterday's post in [Will Your Real Preferences Please Stand Up](/lw... | https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/ePA4NDzZkunz98tLx/to-what-degree-do-we-have-goals |
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