I’m Antoine Valot, 35 years old, Information Architect and Business Analyst, a frenchman living in Colorado, USA. I’ve been lurking on LW for about a month, and I like what I see, with some reservations.
I’m definitely an atheist, currently undecided as to how anti-theist I should be (seems the logical choice, but the antisocial aspects suggest that some level of hypocrisy might make me a more effective rational agent?)
I am nonetheless very interested in some of the philosophical findings of Buddhism (non-duality being my pet idea). I think there’s some very actionable and useful tools in Buddhism at the juncture of rationality and humanity: How to not believe in santa, but still fulfill non-rational human needs and aspirations. Someone’s going to have to really work on convincing me that “utility” can suffice, when Buddhist concepts of “happiness” seem to fit the bill better for humans. “Utility” seems too much like pleasure (unreliable, external, variable), as opposed to happiness (maintainable, internal, constant).
Anyway, I’m excited to be here, and looking forward to learning a lot and possibly contributing something of value.
A special shout-out to Alicorn: I read you post on male bias, and I dig, sister. I’ll try to not make matters worse, and look for ways to make them better.
Hello.
I’m Antoine Valot, 35 years old, Information Architect and Business Analyst, a frenchman living in Colorado, USA. I’ve been lurking on LW for about a month, and I like what I see, with some reservations.
I’m definitely an atheist, currently undecided as to how anti-theist I should be (seems the logical choice, but the antisocial aspects suggest that some level of hypocrisy might make me a more effective rational agent?)
I am nonetheless very interested in some of the philosophical findings of Buddhism (non-duality being my pet idea). I think there’s some very actionable and useful tools in Buddhism at the juncture of rationality and humanity: How to not believe in santa, but still fulfill non-rational human needs and aspirations. Someone’s going to have to really work on convincing me that “utility” can suffice, when Buddhist concepts of “happiness” seem to fit the bill better for humans. “Utility” seems too much like pleasure (unreliable, external, variable), as opposed to happiness (maintainable, internal, constant).
Anyway, I’m excited to be here, and looking forward to learning a lot and possibly contributing something of value.
A special shout-out to Alicorn: I read you post on male bias, and I dig, sister. I’ll try to not make matters worse, and look for ways to make them better.