“These advantages are real, significant, and probably even replicable for a more secular memeset—but I think if we tried it, we’d be missing our own point.”
Interesting. I think that could be true of whatever our “point” is right now. But eventually, that point is probably going to have to involve something that people at the IQ 100 level can pick up and use with some success in their daily lives, the same way so many already do with religious principles. (Though LW principles can hopefully avoid most of the negative downsides that come with living religiously.)
I agree that we should aspire to eventually appeal to the IQ 100 population with as many of our concepts as we can. I don’t think we should use the identity-claim-but-no-deep-thought technique to do it.
When I use the Ned Flanders example, what I’m thinking is:
I know Christians who say that belief in Jesus and being determined to love others will make life better, and they express this better-ness in their incredible patience and kindness—to the point where I wish I were equally patient and kind.
I think we could get to a point where Less Wrong members can say “living with a strong awareness of your own biases and a desire to improve yourself will make your life better”, and express this better-ness by being good conversationalists, optimistic, and genuinely helpful to those with questions or problems—to the point where non-members wish they were equally cool/smart/fun/helpful, or whatever other values we hope to embody.
“These advantages are real, significant, and probably even replicable for a more secular memeset—but I think if we tried it, we’d be missing our own point.”
Interesting. I think that could be true of whatever our “point” is right now. But eventually, that point is probably going to have to involve something that people at the IQ 100 level can pick up and use with some success in their daily lives, the same way so many already do with religious principles. (Though LW principles can hopefully avoid most of the negative downsides that come with living religiously.)
I agree that we should aspire to eventually appeal to the IQ 100 population with as many of our concepts as we can. I don’t think we should use the identity-claim-but-no-deep-thought technique to do it.
I agree with avoiding identity-claim aspirations.
When I use the Ned Flanders example, what I’m thinking is:
I know Christians who say that belief in Jesus and being determined to love others will make life better, and they express this better-ness in their incredible patience and kindness—to the point where I wish I were equally patient and kind.
I think we could get to a point where Less Wrong members can say “living with a strong awareness of your own biases and a desire to improve yourself will make your life better”, and express this better-ness by being good conversationalists, optimistic, and genuinely helpful to those with questions or problems—to the point where non-members wish they were equally cool/smart/fun/helpful, or whatever other values we hope to embody.