I sometimes do a brief presentation of rationality to acquaintances, and I often stress the importance of being able to change your mind. Often, in the Sequences, this is illustrated by thought experiments, which sound a bit contrived when taken out of context, or by wide-ranging choices, which sound too remote and dramatic for explanation purposes.
I don’t encounter enough examples of day-to-day application of instrumental rationality, the experience of changing your mind, rather than the knowledge of how to do it. Your post has short glimpses of it, and I would very much enjoy reading a more in-depth description of these experiences. You seem to notice them, which is a skill I find very valuable.
On a more personal note, your post nudges me towards “write more things down”, as I should track when I do change my mind. In other words, follow more of the rationality checklist advice. I’m too often frustrated by my lack of noticing stuff. So, thanks for this nudge!
Thank you. Will try to give more day-to-day rationality applications if I can.
EDIT: about the “write more things down”, I think writing specific to LessWrong stuff (like when your beliefs change) might prove useful. However, just a lot of personal journaling or thought-crystallization-on-the-internet is enough.
I sometimes do a brief presentation of rationality to acquaintances, and I often stress the importance of being able to change your mind. Often, in the Sequences, this is illustrated by thought experiments, which sound a bit contrived when taken out of context, or by wide-ranging choices, which sound too remote and dramatic for explanation purposes.
I don’t encounter enough examples of day-to-day application of instrumental rationality, the experience of changing your mind, rather than the knowledge of how to do it. Your post has short glimpses of it, and I would very much enjoy reading a more in-depth description of these experiences. You seem to notice them, which is a skill I find very valuable.
On a more personal note, your post nudges me towards “write more things down”, as I should track when I do change my mind. In other words, follow more of the rationality checklist advice. I’m too often frustrated by my lack of noticing stuff. So, thanks for this nudge!
Thank you. Will try to give more day-to-day rationality applications if I can.
EDIT: about the “write more things down”, I think writing specific to LessWrong stuff (like when your beliefs change) might prove useful. However, just a lot of personal journaling or thought-crystallization-on-the-internet is enough.