If you’ve found some substantially easier way to become reasonably competent—i.e., possessing a saving throw vs. failing at thinking about thinking—in a way that doesn’t require reading a substantial fraction of the sequences, you’re remiss for not describing such a path publicly.
I would guess that hanging out with friends who are aspiring rationalists is a faster way to become rational than reading the sequences.
In any case, it seems pretty clear to me that the sequences do not have a monopoly on rationality. Eliezer isn’t the only person in the world who’s good at thinking about his thinking.
FWIW, I was thinking along the lines of only requesting passing familiarity with non-core sequences.
I read A Human’s Guide to Words and Reductionism, and a little bit of the rest. I at least feel like I have pretty good familiarity with the rest of the topics covered as a result of having a strong technical background. The path is pretty clear, though perhaps harder to take—just take college-level classes in mathematics, econ, and physics, and think a lot about the material. And talk to other smart people.
If you’ve found some substantially easier way to become reasonably competent—i.e., possessing a saving throw vs. failing at thinking about thinking—in a way that doesn’t require reading a substantial fraction of the sequences, you’re remiss for not describing such a path publicly.
I would guess that hanging out with friends who are aspiring rationalists is a faster way to become rational than reading the sequences.
In any case, it seems pretty clear to me that the sequences do not have a monopoly on rationality. Eliezer isn’t the only person in the world who’s good at thinking about his thinking.
FWIW, I was thinking along the lines of only requesting passing familiarity with non-core sequences.
I read A Human’s Guide to Words and Reductionism, and a little bit of the rest. I at least feel like I have pretty good familiarity with the rest of the topics covered as a result of having a strong technical background. The path is pretty clear, though perhaps harder to take—just take college-level classes in mathematics, econ, and physics, and think a lot about the material. And talk to other smart people.