I mentioned that I was attending a Landmark seminar. Here is my review of their free introductory class that hopefully adds to the conversation for those who want to know:
Coaches -
They are the people who lead the class and I found them to be genuine in their belief in the benefits of taking the courses. These coaches were unpaid volunteers. I found their motives for coaching were for self-improvement and to some degree altruism. In short, it helped them, and they really want to share it.
Material -
The intro course consists of more informative ideas rather than exercises. Their informative ideas are also trade-marked phrases, which makes it gimmicky and gives it more importance than an idea really warrants. We were not told these ideas were evidence-based. Lots of information on how to improve one’s life was thrown around but no research or empirical evidence was given. Not once was the words ” cognitive science” or “rationality” used. I speculate that the value the course gives its students is not from their informative ideas, but probably from the exercises and motivation that one gets from being actively pushed by their coaches to pursue goals.
Final thoughts -
If you are rationality minded then this is not for you. I am no worse for going, and I do not believe that anyone who is rationality minded and attends will be worse off either, however I do believe that it is most likely damaging for a person’s rationality , who is naive in rationality to begin with, to attend. I have never attended CFAR but just from browsing their website I can tell that Landmark is very far from what CFAR does. I think people in general would benefit more from attending CFAR than Landmark.
I mentioned that I was attending a Landmark seminar. Here is my review of their free introductory class that hopefully adds to the conversation for those who want to know:
Coaches - They are the people who lead the class and I found them to be genuine in their belief in the benefits of taking the courses. These coaches were unpaid volunteers. I found their motives for coaching were for self-improvement and to some degree altruism. In short, it helped them, and they really want to share it.
Material - The intro course consists of more informative ideas rather than exercises. Their informative ideas are also trade-marked phrases, which makes it gimmicky and gives it more importance than an idea really warrants. We were not told these ideas were evidence-based. Lots of information on how to improve one’s life was thrown around but no research or empirical evidence was given. Not once was the words ” cognitive science” or “rationality” used. I speculate that the value the course gives its students is not from their informative ideas, but probably from the exercises and motivation that one gets from being actively pushed by their coaches to pursue goals.
Final thoughts - If you are rationality minded then this is not for you. I am no worse for going, and I do not believe that anyone who is rationality minded and attends will be worse off either, however I do believe that it is most likely damaging for a person’s rationality , who is naive in rationality to begin with, to attend. I have never attended CFAR but just from browsing their website I can tell that Landmark is very far from what CFAR does. I think people in general would benefit more from attending CFAR than Landmark.