One person I’m 99% certain I’ve heard use “rationalish” and “aspiring rationalist” repeatedly is Julia Galef. She does a lot of communication with outside experts from other fields, and I imagine that fielding the implied status questions with grace is a persistent challenge in her line of work.
I do think it’s well worth meditating on the idea that there is no problem with “rationalist,” and cultivating a sense of benign confusion and simple explanation of the term if/when people object.
“I’m a rationalist.” ″Uh, so you think you’re smarter than everyone or something?”
“It just means a formal study of how to pick the right goals and decision-making procedures, and pursuing them effectively.”
One person I’m 99% certain I’ve heard use “rationalish” and “aspiring rationalist” repeatedly is Julia Galef. She does a lot of communication with outside experts from other fields, and I imagine that fielding the implied status questions with grace is a persistent challenge in her line of work.
I do think it’s well worth meditating on the idea that there is no problem with “rationalist,” and cultivating a sense of benign confusion and simple explanation of the term if/when people object.
“I’m a rationalist.”
″Uh, so you think you’re smarter than everyone or something?”
“It just means a formal study of how to pick the right goals and decision-making procedures, and pursuing them effectively.”
“Oh, ok.”