Programming, Probability, and Cognitive Science are all useful, but I think that there’s a lot being missed.
Writing: Practice dissolving questions, noticing the dark arts, and clear expression in a format natural to humans. Cover a wide variety of memes, and come up with a bigger world model and better understanding of other people’s viewpoints. Other people are different, and you will not be able to effectively interact with them until you understand where they’re coming from.
Economics: Economics is fairly counterintuitive, and has the benefit of being useful. It explains some of how the world actually works, and what kind of interventions are effective in it. Lots of economics ideas pop up in LW conversation (marginal utility, expected value, etc.)
Research: Every year, students seeking this degree attack another field, working with scientists in the university in not directly rationality related fields. If results aren’t produced, the program is doing something wrong.
Presentation: Personality skills like fashion, improv, etc. to help rationalists effectively interact with other people.
Electives: Group projects based in other fields that the students are interested in. Emphasize effective coordination, communication, and results. Harvey Mudd’s Clinic Program seems like a good place to start.
Programming, Probability, and Cognitive Science are all useful, but I think that there’s a lot being missed.
Writing: Practice dissolving questions, noticing the dark arts, and clear expression in a format natural to humans. Cover a wide variety of memes, and come up with a bigger world model and better understanding of other people’s viewpoints. Other people are different, and you will not be able to effectively interact with them until you understand where they’re coming from.
Economics: Economics is fairly counterintuitive, and has the benefit of being useful. It explains some of how the world actually works, and what kind of interventions are effective in it. Lots of economics ideas pop up in LW conversation (marginal utility, expected value, etc.)
Research: Every year, students seeking this degree attack another field, working with scientists in the university in not directly rationality related fields. If results aren’t produced, the program is doing something wrong.
Presentation: Personality skills like fashion, improv, etc. to help rationalists effectively interact with other people.
Electives: Group projects based in other fields that the students are interested in. Emphasize effective coordination, communication, and results. Harvey Mudd’s Clinic Program seems like a good place to start.