Asking even a good friend to take the time to read The Sequences (aka Rationality A-Z) is a big ask. But how else does one absorb the background and culture necessary if one wants to engage deeply in rationalist writing? I think we need alternative ways to communicate the key concepts that vary across style and assumed background. If you know of useful resources, would you please post them as a comment? Thanks.
Some different lenses that could be helpful:
“I already studied critical thinking in college, why isn’t this enough?”
“I’m already a practicing data scientist, what else do I need to know and why?
“I’m already interested in prediction markets… how can I get better?”
“I’m not a fan of parables, can you teach me aspiring rationality in a different way?”
“I would never admit this except to close friends, but weird or fringe movements make me nervous, but as do think of myself as a critical thinker, help me ramp up without getting into uncomfortable areas.”
“I would never admit this to others — and may not even recognize it in myself — but my primary motivation is to use evidence and rationality as a cudgel against my opponents. Can you teach me how to be better at this?” (And this reminds me of Harry teaching Malfoy in HPMOR with an ulterior motive!)
As a STEM enthusiast, I suspect I would’ve much more quickly engaged with the Sequences had I first been recommended arbital.com as a gateway to it instead of “read the Sequences” directly.
Asking even a good friend to take the time to read The Sequences (aka Rationality A-Z) is a big ask. But how else does one absorb the background and culture necessary if one wants to engage deeply in rationalist writing? I think we need alternative ways to communicate the key concepts that vary across style and assumed background. If you know of useful resources, would you please post them as a comment? Thanks.
Some different lenses that could be helpful:
“I already studied critical thinking in college, why isn’t this enough?”
“I’m already a practicing data scientist, what else do I need to know and why?
“I’m already interested in prediction markets… how can I get better?”
“I’m not a fan of parables, can you teach me aspiring rationality in a different way?”
“I would never admit this except to close friends, but weird or fringe movements make me nervous, but as do think of myself as a critical thinker, help me ramp up without getting into uncomfortable areas.”
“I would never admit this to others — and may not even recognize it in myself — but my primary motivation is to use evidence and rationality as a cudgel against my opponents. Can you teach me how to be better at this?” (And this reminds me of Harry teaching Malfoy in HPMOR with an ulterior motive!)
As a STEM enthusiast, I suspect I would’ve much more quickly engaged with the Sequences had I first been recommended arbital.com as a gateway to it instead of “read the Sequences” directly.