God created the Earth, but the Dutch created the Netherlands.
-- Dutch proverb
God created the Earth, but the Dutch created the Netherlands.
-- Dutch proverb
My function is to raise the possibility, ‘Hey, you know, some of this stuff might be bullshit.’
-- Robert Anton Wilson
Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.
John Adams, Argument in Defense of the Soldiers in the Boston Massacre Trials
The Scientific 7-Minute Workout
In 12 exercises deploying only body weight, a chair and a wall, it fulfills the latest mandates for high-intensity effort, which essentially combines a long run and a visit to the weight room into about seven minutes of steady discomfort — all of it based on science.
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
English proverb
I took the survey and really enjoyed it. Thanks! It was mostly clear but I’m not gonna lie—had to look up the morality definitions (except consequentialism). Perhaps a very brief definition would help.
Surprised LSD is not mentioned.
I remember reading in one of Robert Anton Wilson’s books than an early LSD study suggested a significant increase in IQ after several “therapeutic” sessions. I don’t have the original book with me and can’t find any info online.
I’m skeptical that LSD will have such a direct impact on measured IQ, but it definitely does something (probably acting on traits associated with creativity rather than intelligence). Wish it could be tested though…
Hi all. 25 yo New Yorker here. Been following this site for a while now, since Eliezer was still writing at OB.
Currently I’m working on two tech startups (it’s fun to not get paid). My academic background is in cognitive psychology. In addition to AI, rationality, cognitive bias, sci fi, and the other usual suspects, my interests include architecture, poker, and 17th century Dutch history. ;)
I thought Jiro Dreams of Sushi was a really great documentary. Yes, it is about sushi, so for anyone who loves sushi it’s a must-see (and I know there are a lot of general Japanophiles here...). But much more than that it is about two things: dedication to your craft and father-son relationships.
Jiro Ono exemplifies the concept of conatus. I always thought and was taught to be well-rounded and know and be good at a lot of things. That still holds true, but only recently I’ve realized that, at least professionally, you should probably choose one thing and just become the best at it. Watching Jiro really inspired me to figure out how I can go on a similar path myself, even though all my impulses tell me to be a “generalist.” (After walking out of the theater I was inspired, but I also truly felt like shit because I was hit with the realization that I’m good at a lot of things but not AMAZING at anything).
The film also made me think a lot about father-son relationships. I want to write at length about this it’s difficult without spoilers...
At the risk of sounding like a sappy old grandmother, I really enjoyed Faces of America and the current follow-up series Finding Your Roots. You can watch them for free on PBS. They’re both done by Henry Louis Gates (the Harvard professor that famously got arrested entering his own house).*
The show features extensive research into the genealogies of a whichever celebrities are on that episode. We learn interesting details about their ancestors but it’s much more about the historical context in which those ancestors lived. Once the paper trail runs out (for some it’s a few generations, for others a 1000+ years) the show turns to genetics.
A few cool things so far:
about 40% of Ashkenazi Jews can trace their mDNA to just 4 women living somewhere in the Levant about 2,000 years ago (these were probably some really smart gals ;-)
many African-Americans have a LOT more white ancestry than I previously thought
thanks to a researcher that recently went around Western Africa taking genetic samples where the slave trade was prominent, many American blacks can now know which exact tribes they descend from
I got to see Samuel Jackson’s face when he saw a photo of his white ancestor
*Funny story: the officer that arrested him said that Gates told him “yo mama.” He really said he was coming back from a recording with Yo-Yo Ma (who was featured in Faces of America).
Can you share which books worked best for you regarding productivity and depression?
Obviously I went out on a limb here, but I stand by the lyric as a good rationality quote.
It succinctly and elegantly echoes one of Eliezer’s 12 virtues: relinquishment. Biggy is basically telling his audience to update their beliefs based on new evidence which he reveals throughout the song. He is systematically destroying untruth.
Also, the word “nigga” is mostly devoid of racial connotations, especially in this context. It’s much more akin to “brother”, “comrade”, “man,” “friend”, etc. -- it’s emphasizing the communal nature between the artist and his audience. He’s inviting them into his private world of truth.
I would roughly interpret it like this: “You may not have known before, but now you do know, my friend [and that is a good thing].”
Are you sure White names do better than ALL non-White names? The papers you sourced compare US White to Black names and Swedish to “immigrant” names—both kind of hyperbolic examples. Nothing about White names vs Asian names, which I would expect to get different results. Also, in some industries or cases having a foreign/ethnic/unique name could be a positive.
FWIW, if I met an Asian guy with a WASPy name like John Adams I would think either he is adopted or changed his name/identity, which might send me negative signals such as duplicity, cunning, and cowardice.
“A free man thinks of death least of all things; and his wisdom is a meditation not of death but of life.”
-Baruch Spinoza
For those that don’t have a convenient place to hang a pullup bar, or as a general alternative/addon, I recommend dumbbells. I bought a nice set (2 x 20kg, 0.5, 1.25, 2, 5kg increments) for around $100 and cancelled my gym membership. They paid for themselves in 2 months time. Now I’m saving money and more fit then ever because I actually workout, instead of making excuses why not to go to the gym (it’s too cooold, it’s raaaining, I don’t have tiiiime, etc.)
I would do 10.
Things are entirely what they appear to be and behind them…there is nothing.
Jean-Paul Sartre, Nausea
For those interested in these topics I suggest reading Robert Anton Wilson’s nonfiction, specifically the Cosmic Trigger series and Prometheus Rising.
-- Benjamin Franklin, Letter to Joseph Priestley, 8 Feb 1780