It sounds like you are currently very much pushing your personality where you want it to go. I would be interested in hearing about your transition from being shy to being comfortable with people. Do you still remember how you were?
I more or less consciously pushed myself into sociability when I was 12 and made a lot of progress. Previously I was much shyer. I’ve changed so much since then, it feels strange to connect with my earlier memories. I’ve also experienced “calculating” social situations, emulating alien behaviors—and then later finding them to have become natural and enjoyable.
For the past few years, I’ve just been coasting—I haven’t changed much and I don’t know how to summon up the drive I had before.
Handle: jasonmcdowell
Name: Jason McDowell
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Age: 27
Gender: Male
Education: Currently 1st year Ph.D student in Applied Optics
I found Less Wrong through http://transhumangoodness.blogspot.com/ I don’t remember what link brought me there though. I read the Extropians list (quietly) for a few years staring in maybe 2002. I’ve been reading assorted transhumanist sites ever since.
I’m always happy when I find new sources of dense, high quality thinking on the internet. The TED talks have been one such treasure trove for instance. I really like Eliezer’s writing and think Less Wrong will be a great source.
For the last few years I’ve been paying the most attention to politics. I think now is a good time for me to reengage with transhumanism. I have very rarely posted or commented in the past, preferring to just read and learn instead. Maybe with Less Wrong I’ll have a reason to write. Hi!