What if users were expected to have a passing familiarity with the topics the sequences covered, but not necessarily to have read them? That way, if they were going to post about one of the topics covered in the sequences, they could be sure to brush up on the state of the debate first.
If you’ve found some substantially easier way to become reasonably competent—i.e., possessing a saving throw vs. failing at thinking about thinking—in a way that doesn’t require reading a substantial fraction of the sequences, you’re remiss for not describing such a path publicly.
I would guess that hanging out with friends who are aspiring rationalists is a faster way to become rational than reading the sequences.
In any case, it seems pretty clear to me that the sequences do not have a monopoly on rationality. Eliezer isn’t the only person in the world who’s good at thinking about his thinking.
FWIW, I was thinking along the lines of only requesting passing familiarity with non-core sequences.
I read A Human’s Guide to Words and Reductionism, and a little bit of the rest. I at least feel like I have pretty good familiarity with the rest of the topics covered as a result of having a strong technical background. The path is pretty clear, though perhaps harder to take—just take college-level classes in mathematics, econ, and physics, and think a lot about the material. And talk to other smart people.
What if users were expected to have a passing familiarity with the topics the sequences covered, but not necessarily to have read them? That way, if they were going to post about one of the topics covered in the sequences, they could be sure to brush up on the state of the debate first.
If you’ve found some substantially easier way to become reasonably competent—i.e., possessing a saving throw vs. failing at thinking about thinking—in a way that doesn’t require reading a substantial fraction of the sequences, you’re remiss for not describing such a path publicly.
I would guess that hanging out with friends who are aspiring rationalists is a faster way to become rational than reading the sequences.
In any case, it seems pretty clear to me that the sequences do not have a monopoly on rationality. Eliezer isn’t the only person in the world who’s good at thinking about his thinking.
FWIW, I was thinking along the lines of only requesting passing familiarity with non-core sequences.
I read A Human’s Guide to Words and Reductionism, and a little bit of the rest. I at least feel like I have pretty good familiarity with the rest of the topics covered as a result of having a strong technical background. The path is pretty clear, though perhaps harder to take—just take college-level classes in mathematics, econ, and physics, and think a lot about the material. And talk to other smart people.