My attempt at the exercise for the skill “Hold Off On Proposing Solutions”
Example: At a LessWrong meet up someone talks about some problem they have and asks for advice, someone points out that everyone should explore the problem before proposing solutions. Successful use of the skill involves:
1) Noticing that a solution is being asked for. This is the most important sub-skill. It involves listening to everything you ever hear and sorting it into appropriate categories.
2) Come up with a witty and brilliant solution. This happens automatically.
3) Suppress the urge to explain the solution to everyone, even though it is so brilliant, and will make you look so cool, and (gasp) maybe someone else has thought of it, and you better say it before they do, otherwise it will look like it was their idea!
4) Warn other people to hold off on proposing solutions.
Exercise: Best done in a group, where the pressure to show intelligence is greatest. Read the group a list of questions. Use many different types of questions, some about matters of fact, some about opinion, and some asking for a solution. The first two types are to be answered immediately. The last type are to be met with absolute silence. Anyone found talking after a solution has been requested loses points.
Encourage people to write down any solutions they do come up with. After the exercise is finished, destroy all the written solutions, and forbid discussion of them.
Wouldn’t it be better to realise right after step (1) that one needs to avoid coming up with solutions and deliberately focus one’s mind on understanding the problem. Avoiding verbalization of solutions is good, but they can still pollute your own thinking, even if not others’.
My attempt at the exercise for the skill “Hold Off On Proposing Solutions”
Example: At a LessWrong meet up someone talks about some problem they have and asks for advice, someone points out that everyone should explore the problem before proposing solutions. Successful use of the skill involves:
1) Noticing that a solution is being asked for. This is the most important sub-skill. It involves listening to everything you ever hear and sorting it into appropriate categories.
2) Come up with a witty and brilliant solution. This happens automatically.
3) Suppress the urge to explain the solution to everyone, even though it is so brilliant, and will make you look so cool, and (gasp) maybe someone else has thought of it, and you better say it before they do, otherwise it will look like it was their idea!
4) Warn other people to hold off on proposing solutions.
Exercise: Best done in a group, where the pressure to show intelligence is greatest. Read the group a list of questions. Use many different types of questions, some about matters of fact, some about opinion, and some asking for a solution. The first two types are to be answered immediately. The last type are to be met with absolute silence. Anyone found talking after a solution has been requested loses points.
Encourage people to write down any solutions they do come up with. After the exercise is finished, destroy all the written solutions, and forbid discussion of them.
Wouldn’t it be better to realise right after step (1) that one needs to avoid coming up with solutions and deliberately focus one’s mind on understanding the problem. Avoiding verbalization of solutions is good, but they can still pollute your own thinking, even if not others’.