it seems like that primes the hypothesis that the next in the series also pays $2 or does nothing
Priming a hypothesis merely draws it to attention; it does not make it more likely. Every piece of spam, every con game, “primes the hypothesis” that it is genuine. It also “primes the hypothesis” that it is not. “Priming the hypothesis” is no more evidence than a purple giraffe is evidence of the blackness of crows.
Explicltly avoiding saying that it does pay $2, and saying instead that it is “interesting”, well, that pretty much stomps the “priming” into a stain on the sidewalk.
Well, yes. As is the mere presence of the idea of $2 for $1 terrible evidence that the black box will do any such thing.
Eliezer speaks in the Twelve Virtues of letting oneself be as light as a leaf, blown unresistingly by the wind of evidence, but evidence of this sort is on the level of the individual molecules and Brownian motion of that leaf.
Priming a hypothesis merely draws it to attention; it does not make it more likely. Every piece of spam, every con game, “primes the hypothesis” that it is genuine. It also “primes the hypothesis” that it is not. “Priming the hypothesis” is no more evidence than a purple giraffe is evidence of the blackness of crows.
Explicltly avoiding saying that it does pay $2, and saying instead that it is “interesting”, well, that pretty much stomps the “priming” into a stain on the sidewalk.
.… purple giraffes are evidence of the blackness of crows, though. Just, really really terrible evidence.
Well, yes. As is the mere presence of the idea of $2 for $1 terrible evidence that the black box will do any such thing.
Eliezer speaks in the Twelve Virtues of letting oneself be as light as a leaf, blown unresistingly by the wind of evidence, but evidence of this sort is on the level of the individual molecules and Brownian motion of that leaf.
It depends on your priors