“Yes, if there’s something we know for sure increases rationality, we should be spending more time doing it instead of brainstorming new techniques”
We already know of a something. It is a very basic and rudimentary something, that we are all familiar with, and we all have the capacity to utilize. But most of you aren’t doing it!
This has been discussed at OB repeatedly. We’re carrying a lantern to look for fire.
“Compare alcoholism. The mundane solution to alcoholism is to say “Just stop drinking so much”—this seems in keeping with your diet metaphor. This mundane solution very rarely works, thanks to a particularly nasty form of akrasia. The Alcoholics Anonymous program, various anti-alcoholism drugs, and other “gimmicks” are much more effective.”
Actually, no, they’re not. AA is plagued by dropouts. What it’s good at is getting the people who remain with it to believe it’s helping them and say so. What it’s terrible at is getting people off alcohol.
We already know of a something. It is a very basic and rudimentary something, that we are all familiar with, and we all have the capacity to utilize. But most of you aren’t doing it!
I have no idea what something you are referring to. There are many things we already know about; what are you trying to point to?
Actually, no, they’re not. AA is plagued by dropouts. What it’s good at is getting the people who remain with it to believe it’s helping them and say so. What it’s terrible at is getting people off alcohol.
My interpretation of overall conclusions: Individuals who complete an AA program are not significantly different from those on other treatments. The studies that attempt to randomize treatments show worse results for AA. The two studies that mention adherence rates show AA has more drop-outs.
“Yes, if there’s something we know for sure increases rationality, we should be spending more time doing it instead of brainstorming new techniques”
We already know of a something. It is a very basic and rudimentary something, that we are all familiar with, and we all have the capacity to utilize. But most of you aren’t doing it!
This has been discussed at OB repeatedly. We’re carrying a lantern to look for fire.
“Compare alcoholism. The mundane solution to alcoholism is to say “Just stop drinking so much”—this seems in keeping with your diet metaphor. This mundane solution very rarely works, thanks to a particularly nasty form of akrasia. The Alcoholics Anonymous program, various anti-alcoholism drugs, and other “gimmicks” are much more effective.”
Actually, no, they’re not. AA is plagued by dropouts. What it’s good at is getting the people who remain with it to believe it’s helping them and say so. What it’s terrible at is getting people off alcohol.
I have no idea what something you are referring to. There are many things we already know about; what are you trying to point to?
After over two years, it’s unlikely he or she will read this comment.
This?
It must say something about the Karma system that the most frequently and most significantly downvoted poster is at No. 3 on the top posters list.
Evidence?
Summary of ~12 studies: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effectiveness_of_Alcoholics_Anonymous
My interpretation of overall conclusions: Individuals who complete an AA program are not significantly different from those on other treatments. The studies that attempt to randomize treatments show worse results for AA. The two studies that mention adherence rates show AA has more drop-outs.
Best meta-study I could find: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2648497
Conclusion: AA is not significantly different other treatments.
Penn and Teller
I’ll let you judge the reliability of the evidence. However, true or not, you may be entertained. You have been warned.
Edit: some hard(er) data 1 min 50 sec into part 3