Taking a “contentious” point and resolving it in to a settled fact made the whole article vastly more engaging to me. It also struck me as an elegant demonstration of the value of the tool: It didn’t simply introduce the concept, it used it to accomplish something worthwhile.
Eliezer’s data is made up, but all the not-made-up research I’ve seen supports his actual conclusion. The net emotional result was the same for me as if he’d used the actual research, since my brain could substitute it in.
Perhaps I am weird in having this emotional link, or perhaps I am simply more familiar with the not-made-up research than you.
The net emotional result was the same for me as if he’d used the actual research, since my brain could substitute it in.
I understand. I think it’s important to watch out for these sorts of illusions of transparency, though, especially when dealing with pedagogical material. One of the heuristics I’ve been using is “who would I not recommend this to?”, because that will use social modules my brain is skilled at using to find holes and snags in the article. I don’t know how useful that heuristic will be to others, and welcome the suggestion of others.
perhaps I am simply more familiar with the not-made-up research than you.
I am not an expert in nutritional science, but it appears to me that there is controversy among good nutritionists. This post also aided my understanding of the issue. I also detail some more of my understanding in this comment down another branch.
EDIT: Also, doing some more poking around now, this seems relevant.
P.S. When quoting two people, it can be useful to attribute the quotes. I initially thought the second quote was your way of doing a snarky editorial comment on what I’d said, not quoting the article...
Taking a “contentious” point and resolving it in to a settled fact made the whole article vastly more engaging to me. It also struck me as an elegant demonstration of the value of the tool: It didn’t simply introduce the concept, it used it to accomplish something worthwhile.
! From the article:
Eliezer’s data is made up, but all the not-made-up research I’ve seen supports his actual conclusion. The net emotional result was the same for me as if he’d used the actual research, since my brain could substitute it in.
Perhaps I am weird in having this emotional link, or perhaps I am simply more familiar with the not-made-up research than you.
I understand. I think it’s important to watch out for these sorts of illusions of transparency, though, especially when dealing with pedagogical material. One of the heuristics I’ve been using is “who would I not recommend this to?”, because that will use social modules my brain is skilled at using to find holes and snags in the article. I don’t know how useful that heuristic will be to others, and welcome the suggestion of others.
I am not an expert in nutritional science, but it appears to me that there is controversy among good nutritionists. This post also aided my understanding of the issue. I also detail some more of my understanding in this comment down another branch.
EDIT: Also, doing some more poking around now, this seems relevant.
Ahh, that heuristic makes sense! I wasn’t thinking in that context :)
P.S. When quoting two people, it can be useful to attribute the quotes. I initially thought the second quote was your way of doing a snarky editorial comment on what I’d said, not quoting the article...
Thanks for the suggestion, I’ve edited my comment to make it clearer.