How to spot a LessWrongian in your sceptical discussion
In the outside world, the ugly manifests itself as LessWrong acolytes, minds freshly blown, metastasising to other sites, bringing the Good News for Modern Rationalists, without clearing their local jargon cache. Sceptical discussion spaces will often have people show up labelling themselves “rationalist” and being as irritating as teenage nerds who’ve just discovered Ayn Rand. Take one drink for each of:
“As rationalists, we should …”
“As a rationalist, you should …”
“Bayesian” (particularly when they seem to have picked a real doozy of a prior probability; no working will ever be shown)
Preaching “rationalism” as if it’s a religion substitute.[26][27]
Taking offense when someone inevitably points out that they’re preaching a religion substitute.
Attempting to argue their points with them resulting in being told “You should try reading the sequences” rather than them addressing your point.[28]
From RationalWiki:
Band name alert.