The cause of my overconfidence was a combination of exaggeration, arrogance and thinking I had a proof to the effect. As I said above, I had read that the problem was easy and so when I found a ‘proof’ I assumed it to be correct.
It was, as you point out, a huge error. I will aim never to repeat it.
Fair enough, thanks for answering! If you’re interested in this stuff, the proof that integer factorization is reducible to finding square roots modulo the composite isn’t too hard to get into.
This may actually be an example of qualitative difference between maths arguments and fiscal policy arguments that the OP talked about. My error was mathematical, so once it was pointed I had no wiggle room to rationalize. If you had corrected me on a point of fiscal policy I’m not sure it would have been so easy for me to just say oops.
The cause of my overconfidence was a combination of exaggeration, arrogance and thinking I had a proof to the effect. As I said above, I had read that the problem was easy and so when I found a ‘proof’ I assumed it to be correct.
It was, as you point out, a huge error. I will aim never to repeat it.
Fair enough, thanks for answering! If you’re interested in this stuff, the proof that integer factorization is reducible to finding square roots modulo the composite isn’t too hard to get into.
Thanks for pointing it out!
This may actually be an example of qualitative difference between maths arguments and fiscal policy arguments that the OP talked about. My error was mathematical, so once it was pointed I had no wiggle room to rationalize. If you had corrected me on a point of fiscal policy I’m not sure it would have been so easy for me to just say oops.
Will you also dramatically reduce your belief in your own sanity?
If extreme overconfidence counts as insanity then yes I will.
I am strongly reminded by this whole conversation of http://www.spaceandgames.com/?p=27 & http://lesswrong.com/lw/mo/infinite_certainty/