So I’ve been trying to figure out (without much success) how to instill this kind of interest in others, and again, I’m not sure presenting a list of important unsolved problems is the best way to do it.
I’m not sure either. It would perhaps be a useful reference but not a massive motivator in its own right.
What I know works best as a motivator for me is putting up sample problems—presenting the subject matter in ‘sleeping hitchiker terrorist inna box’ form. When seeing a concrete (albeit extremely counterfactual) problem I get nerd sniped. I am being entirely literal when I say that takes a massive amount of willpower for me to stop myself from working on it. To the extent that there is less perceived effort for tackling the problem for 15 hours straight than there is for putting it aside. And that can be the start of a self reinforcement cycle at times.
The above is in contrast to just seeing the unsolved problems listed. That format is approximately inspiration neutral.
By the way, is that decision theory list still active? I was subscribed but haven’t seen anything appear of late.
What I know works best as a motivator for me is putting up sample problems—presenting the subject matter in ‘sleeping hitchiker terrorist inna box’ form.
That seems like a useful datum, thanks.
By the way, is that decision theory list still active? I was subscribed but haven’t seen anything appear of late.
It’s still active, but nobody has made a post for about a month.
I’m not sure either. It would perhaps be a useful reference but not a massive motivator in its own right.
What I know works best as a motivator for me is putting up sample problems—presenting the subject matter in ‘sleeping hitchiker terrorist inna box’ form. When seeing a concrete (albeit extremely counterfactual) problem I get nerd sniped. I am being entirely literal when I say that takes a massive amount of willpower for me to stop myself from working on it. To the extent that there is less perceived effort for tackling the problem for 15 hours straight than there is for putting it aside. And that can be the start of a self reinforcement cycle at times.
The above is in contrast to just seeing the unsolved problems listed. That format is approximately inspiration neutral.
By the way, is that decision theory list still active? I was subscribed but haven’t seen anything appear of late.
That seems like a useful datum, thanks.
It’s still active, but nobody has made a post for about a month.
Ahh, there we go. Cousin_it just woke it up!