people who are high in abstract thinking and believing their beliefs and anxious thought patterns
I think one who this description fits can avoid any risks of ‘going insane’ while still using their abilities for good. For example, in my own case (I think the first two describe me, and the third one sort-of does), if I were to apply these suggestions..
try to stay grounded with people and activities that don’t send you off into abstract thought space. Spend some time with calm normal people who look at the world in straightforward ways, not only creative wild thinkers. Spend time doing hobbies outdoors that use your physical body and attention in satisfying ways, keeping you engaged enough to stay out of your head.
then my creative output related to alignment would probably drop significantly.
(I agree with not trying psychedelics though. Even e.g nootropics and adhd meds are things I’m really cautious with, cause I don’t wanna mess up some part of my process.)
For anyone reading this post in the future, I’d instead suggest doing things meant to help you channel your ability: being conscious and reflective about your thoughts, revisiting basic rationality techniques and theory occasionally, noticing privileged hypotheses (while still allowing yourself to ponder them if you’re just doing it because you find it interesting; I think letting ones mind explore is also important to generating important ideas and making connections).
“Please don’t throw your mind away” in this other sense of counteracting your tendency to think abstractly; you might be able to do a lot of good with it.
I think your suggestions are good as well. To be clear: I didn’t mean that I think one should spend a large fraction of their time just ‘staying grounded’. More like, a few hours a week.
I think one who this description fits can avoid any risks of ‘going insane’ while still using their abilities for good. For example, in my own case (I think the first two describe me, and the third one sort-of does), if I were to apply these suggestions..
then my creative output related to alignment would probably drop significantly.
(I agree with not trying psychedelics though. Even e.g nootropics and adhd meds are things I’m really cautious with, cause I don’t wanna mess up some part of my process.)
For anyone reading this post in the future, I’d instead suggest doing things meant to help you channel your ability: being conscious and reflective about your thoughts, revisiting basic rationality techniques and theory occasionally, noticing privileged hypotheses (while still allowing yourself to ponder them if you’re just doing it because you find it interesting; I think letting ones mind explore is also important to generating important ideas and making connections).
“Please don’t throw your mind away” in this other sense of counteracting your tendency to think abstractly; you might be able to do a lot of good with it.
I think your suggestions are good as well. To be clear: I didn’t mean that I think one should spend a large fraction of their time just ‘staying grounded’. More like, a few hours a week.