This is a good summary, but a post like this is greatly strengthened by links to external resources to justify or expand upon the claims it makes. If I didn’t know anything about the topic, some of the text would be unclear to me, and I would want the ability to click around and learn more. For example:
What is the sunk cost fallacy? (Link to wikipedia/LWwiki)
Also, I think one of the first reactions a typical person will have is, “Rationality? Of course I’m rational.” To start from square one on this topic, you have to explain to people that, surprisingly enough, they aren’t. Politely, of course. Then you can start talking about why it’s important to work on.
All that said, I think the examples given are great; they’re salient problems for most people, and you can make a good case that rationality will improve one’s outcomes for those problems.
This is a good summary, but a post like this is greatly strengthened by links to external resources to justify or expand upon the claims it makes. If I didn’t know anything about the topic, some of the text would be unclear to me, and I would want the ability to click around and learn more. For example:
What is the sunk cost fallacy? (Link to wikipedia/LWwiki)
There is some recent evidence about rationality as a treatment for depression
Also, I think one of the first reactions a typical person will have is, “Rationality? Of course I’m rational.” To start from square one on this topic, you have to explain to people that, surprisingly enough, they aren’t. Politely, of course. Then you can start talking about why it’s important to work on.
All that said, I think the examples given are great; they’re salient problems for most people, and you can make a good case that rationality will improve one’s outcomes for those problems.