Out of curiosity, I asked Claude Sonnet 3.5 to create a checklist-style version of The Way to “serve as a daily reminder and also guide to practical daily action and thinking”, with the understanding that (quoting Zvi) “The Way that can be specified is not The Way”. Seems decent. (All bullet lists are meant to be checkboxes, except the last list of bullets.)
The Way: A Living Checklist
Note: The Way that can be specified is not The Way. This is an incomplete approximation, meant to guide rather than constrain.
Core Principles
Truth-Seeking
Have I written down my actual beliefs clearly and publicly?
Am I ready to be proven wrong and update accordingly?
Have I avoided fooling myself, especially about things I want to be true?
Am I reasoning things out explicitly, step by step?
Have I shown my work so others can check my reasoning?
Action & Impact
Am I actually Doing The Thing, rather than just talking about it?
Have I found ways to create concrete improvements today, rather than waiting for perfect solutions?
Am I focusing on real outcomes rather than appearances or process?
Do I have meaningful skin in the game?
Am I using my comparative advantage effectively?
Decision Making
Have I considered the actual price/tradeoffs involved?
Am I making decisions under uncertainty rather than waiting for perfect information?
Have I avoided false dichotomies and found the nuanced path?
Am I being appropriately careful with irreversible decisions?
Have I maintained enough slack in my systems and decisions?
Learning & Growth
Am I willing to look stupid to become less wrong?
Have I learned from my mistakes and updated my models?
Am I experimenting and iterating to find better approaches?
Have I sought out worthy opponents who can challenge my thinking?
Am I building deep understanding rather than surface knowledge?
Character & Conduct
Have I been honest, even when it’s costly?
Am I following through on my commitments?
Have I avoided needless cruelty or control?
Am I using power and influence responsibly?
Have I maintained my integrity while pursuing my goals?
Balance & Wisdom
Have I found room for joy and fun without compromising effectiveness?
Am I building lasting value rather than chasing short-term gains?
Have I avoided both reckless abandon and paralyzing caution?
Am I considering both practical utility and deeper principles?
Have I remained adaptable as circumstances change?
Remember
The Way is hard
The Way is not for everyone
The Way changes as reality changes
Violence is not The Way
The perfect need not be the enemy of the good
Having skin in the game focuses the mind
Mundane utility matters
The Way includes both effectiveness and joy
This checklist is intentionally incomplete. The Way that matters is the one you find through doing the work.
Out of curiosity, I asked Claude Sonnet 3.5 to create a checklist-style version of The Way to “serve as a daily reminder and also guide to practical daily action and thinking”, with the understanding that (quoting Zvi) “The Way that can be specified is not The Way”. Seems decent. (All bullet lists are meant to be checkboxes, except the last list of bullets.)
This is awesome! I totally should have thought of it, thanks!
Thanks for compiling these quotes :) seemed too important not to make them at least somewhat actionable for myself, hence the checklist.