Used to be a hardcore Christian. Then I started looking for alternate explanations and wound up believing in magic because I wanted it to be real. Then I read HP:MoR and it changed my life. My head is on a lot straighter now.
At first I thought this was just something cool. Then I was talking to someone about investing a fairly large amount of money. As we were talking, I was conscious of myself changing my plans to agree with him simply because he was nice. Despite this, he still changed my mind even though I recognized that he did it by being nice instead of a good argument. Had to go home before I could think clearly again.
It scared me that I could be so easily swayed by the Dark Arts, as I’ve heard them referred to. This might be something worth taking seriously after all.
So now I’m about to use what I learned to buy a car. A year ago, I would’ve just gone down with an informed friend and pick up something functional. Now I’m going down with a friend and a journal, identifying several possible vehicles and taking notes, then spend a week doing research on price, making sure I’m not being swayed by the salesman being nice, etc. before I actually spend any money.
19 male, currently in Florida.
Used to be a hardcore Christian. Then I started looking for alternate explanations and wound up believing in magic because I wanted it to be real. Then I read HP:MoR and it changed my life. My head is on a lot straighter now.
At first I thought this was just something cool. Then I was talking to someone about investing a fairly large amount of money. As we were talking, I was conscious of myself changing my plans to agree with him simply because he was nice. Despite this, he still changed my mind even though I recognized that he did it by being nice instead of a good argument. Had to go home before I could think clearly again.
It scared me that I could be so easily swayed by the Dark Arts, as I’ve heard them referred to. This might be something worth taking seriously after all.
So now I’m about to use what I learned to buy a car. A year ago, I would’ve just gone down with an informed friend and pick up something functional. Now I’m going down with a friend and a journal, identifying several possible vehicles and taking notes, then spend a week doing research on price, making sure I’m not being swayed by the salesman being nice, etc. before I actually spend any money.
I look forward to becoming less wrong.
Welcome! That’s a great example of rationality-in-practice.