A few years ago some of my friends and I were interested in futurism and how technology could make the world a better place, which brought us upon the topics of transhumanism and the Singularity. I was aware of LessWrong, but it wasn’t until last year when I took a psychology course that I got really interested in reading the blog. Just over a year ago I started reading LessWrong more frequently. I read a lot of stuff about the Singularity, existential risk, optimal philanthropy, epistemology, and cognitive science, both here and lots of other places on the Internet.
However, it’s gotten to the point where that stuff is too complicated for me to separate the wheat from the chaff and I don’t trust my own reason to reach good conclusions on very complicated topics in science and philosophy. I’m only vaguely aware of heuristics to use and beware of and good rationality techniques. I know what Bayes’ Theorem is, but I couldn’t tell you how to use it well in a real-world situation. That’s why I’m really focusing on the basics of LessWrong rationality like reading the Sequences and learning relevant psychology, math, and decision theory before I attempt any very important long chains of reasoning. I intend to read the Sequences and post any comments or questions I have in the corresponding Sequences Reruns article. I hope the welcoming assertion that little previous knowledge of science is required holds, because I know more than the average person, I’m not expert in any field.
I used to have another account on this site, but I created a new one because the other one had lots of comments and discussion posts that related to icky personal details which are irrelevant and uncomfortable to have lying around, so I wanted a fresh start.
I intend to use this comment as a hub to post other milestones I achieve, e.g. finishing the sequences, etc., for reference.
I’m currently a college student who is at a loss for what to study, and trying hard to switch into some STEM stream of one kind or another. My marks and general competence in most subject areas are pretty good. I’m looking to do something interesting (i.e., cool research, developing cool software, really neat chemistry/biotech/mechatronics development) or important (i.e., making lots of money to give away and/or make my life more fun). I am willing and in a very good position to take risks, so I could try more than one thing if it tickles my fancy. Input or advice on this topic is invited.
I’m a 2nd-generation nontheist, who has pretty much always been into skepticism and naturalism of some form or another, even as a child. However, reading LessWrong has opened my eyes to value of questioning my own opinions a lot more and warned me about the dangers of mindkilling.
I’ve suffer from lots of procrastination and akrasia. More generally, I have poor time and life management skills and habits, and have suffered episodes of depression in the last couple of years.. I’m currently on antidepressants, and working through CBT with a therapist to finally make some progress on these problems. This is the biggest source of irrationality in my life, and I hope that LessWrong Sequences (especially some of lukeprog’s work) will help with this. Please suggest any other evidence-based approaches you think that will help me feel better, get better and stay better.
A few years ago some of my friends and I were interested in futurism and how technology could make the world a better place, which brought us upon the topics of transhumanism and the Singularity. I was aware of LessWrong, but it wasn’t until last year when I took a psychology course that I got really interested in reading the blog. Just over a year ago I started reading LessWrong more frequently. I read a lot of stuff about the Singularity, existential risk, optimal philanthropy, epistemology, and cognitive science, both here and lots of other places on the Internet.
However, it’s gotten to the point where that stuff is too complicated for me to separate the wheat from the chaff and I don’t trust my own reason to reach good conclusions on very complicated topics in science and philosophy. I’m only vaguely aware of heuristics to use and beware of and good rationality techniques. I know what Bayes’ Theorem is, but I couldn’t tell you how to use it well in a real-world situation. That’s why I’m really focusing on the basics of LessWrong rationality like reading the Sequences and learning relevant psychology, math, and decision theory before I attempt any very important long chains of reasoning. I intend to read the Sequences and post any comments or questions I have in the corresponding Sequences Reruns article. I hope the welcoming assertion that little previous knowledge of science is required holds, because I know more than the average person, I’m not expert in any field.
I used to have another account on this site, but I created a new one because the other one had lots of comments and discussion posts that related to icky personal details which are irrelevant and uncomfortable to have lying around, so I wanted a fresh start.
I intend to use this comment as a hub to post other milestones I achieve, e.g. finishing the sequences, etc., for reference.
Other relevant information:
I’m currently a college student who is at a loss for what to study, and trying hard to switch into some STEM stream of one kind or another. My marks and general competence in most subject areas are pretty good. I’m looking to do something interesting (i.e., cool research, developing cool software, really neat chemistry/biotech/mechatronics development) or important (i.e., making lots of money to give away and/or make my life more fun). I am willing and in a very good position to take risks, so I could try more than one thing if it tickles my fancy. Input or advice on this topic is invited.
I’m a 2nd-generation nontheist, who has pretty much always been into skepticism and naturalism of some form or another, even as a child. However, reading LessWrong has opened my eyes to value of questioning my own opinions a lot more and warned me about the dangers of mindkilling.
I’ve suffer from lots of procrastination and akrasia. More generally, I have poor time and life management skills and habits, and have suffered episodes of depression in the last couple of years.. I’m currently on antidepressants, and working through CBT with a therapist to finally make some progress on these problems. This is the biggest source of irrationality in my life, and I hope that LessWrong Sequences (especially some of lukeprog’s work) will help with this. Please suggest any other evidence-based approaches you think that will help me feel better, get better and stay better.