I was reflecting on some of the takes here for a bit and if I imagine a blind gradient descent in this direction, I imagine quite a lot of potential reality distortion fields due to various of the underlying dynamics involved with holding this position.
So the one thing I wanted to ask was that if you have any sort of reset mechanism here? Like what is the schelling point before the slippery slope? What is the specific action pattern you would take if you got too far? Or do you trust future you enough in order to ensure that it won’t happen?
Good question. One answer is that my reset mechanisms involve cultivating empathy, and replacing fear with positive motivation. If I notice myself being too unempathetic or too fear-driven, that’s worrying.
But another answer is just that, unfortunately, the reality distortion fields are everywhere—and in many ways more prevalent in “mainstream” positions (as discussed in my post). Being more mainstream does get you “safety in numbers”—i.e. it’s harder for you to catalyze big things, for better or worse. But the cost is that you end up in groupthink.
I was reflecting on some of the takes here for a bit and if I imagine a blind gradient descent in this direction, I imagine quite a lot of potential reality distortion fields due to various of the underlying dynamics involved with holding this position.
So the one thing I wanted to ask was that if you have any sort of reset mechanism here? Like what is the schelling point before the slippery slope? What is the specific action pattern you would take if you got too far? Or do you trust future you enough in order to ensure that it won’t happen?
Good question. One answer is that my reset mechanisms involve cultivating empathy, and replacing fear with positive motivation. If I notice myself being too unempathetic or too fear-driven, that’s worrying.
But another answer is just that, unfortunately, the reality distortion fields are everywhere—and in many ways more prevalent in “mainstream” positions (as discussed in my post). Being more mainstream does get you “safety in numbers”—i.e. it’s harder for you to catalyze big things, for better or worse. But the cost is that you end up in groupthink.