To be clear, I do not mean to use the label “mainline prediction” for this whole technique. Mainline prediction tracking is one way of implementing this general technique, and I claim that the usefulness of the general technique is the main reason why mainline predictions are useful to track.
(Also, it matches up quite well with Nate’s model based on his comment here, and I expect it also matches how Eliezer wants to use the technique.)
The technique you described is in fact very useful
If your probability distribution over futures happens to be such that it has a “mainline prediction”, you get significant benefits from that (similar to the benefits you get from the technique you described).
To be clear, I do not mean to use the label “mainline prediction” for this whole technique. Mainline prediction tracking is one way of implementing this general technique, and I claim that the usefulness of the general technique is the main reason why mainline predictions are useful to track.
(Also, it matches up quite well with Nate’s model based on his comment here, and I expect it also matches how Eliezer wants to use the technique.)
Ah, got it. I agree that:
The technique you described is in fact very useful
If your probability distribution over futures happens to be such that it has a “mainline prediction”, you get significant benefits from that (similar to the benefits you get from the technique you described).