Nick Bostrom (http://www.nickbostrom.com/cv.pdf)
Stephen Wolfram (Published his first particle physics paper at 16 I think, invented one of, if not, the most successful math programs ever and in my opinion the best ever)
A couple people who’s names I won’t mention since I doubt you’d know them from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab where I did some work.
etc.
I say this because these people have numerous significant contributions to their fields of study. I mean real technical contributions that move the field forward not just terms and vague to be solved problems.
My analysis of EY is based on having worked in AI and knowing people in AI none of whom talk about their importance in the field as much as EY with as few papers, and breakthroughs as EY. If you want to claim you’re smart you have to have accomplishments that back it up right? Where are EYs publications, where is the math for his TDT? The worlds hardest math problem is unlikely to be solved by someone who needs to hire someone with more depth in the field of math. (both statements can be referenced to EY)
No, because I don’t believe in using IQ as a measure of intelligence (having taken an IQ test) and I think accomplishments are a better measure (quality over quantity obviously). If you have a better measure then fine.
Do you think that accomplishments, when present, are fairly accurate proof of intelligence (and that you are skeptical of claims thereto without said proof), but that intelligence can sometimes exist in their absence; or do you claim something stronger?
Eliezer invoked the notion of intelligent insanity in response to Aumann’s approach to the absent-minded driver problem. In this case, what was Aumann efficiently optimizing in spite of his own wishes?
“Do you think that accomplishments, when present, are fairly accurate proof of intelligence (and that you are skeptical of claims thereto without said proof)”
Couldn’t have said it better myself. The only addition would be that IQ is an insufficient measure although it can be useful when combined with accomplishment.
I think accomplishments are a better measure (quality over quantity obviously)
I once came third in a marathon. How smart am I? If I increase my mileage to a level that would be required for me to come first would that make me smarter? Does the same apply when I’m trying to walk in 40 years?
ETA: I thought I cancelled this one. Nevermind, I stand by my point. Achievement is the best predictor of future achievement. It isn’t a particularly good measure of intelligence. Achievement shows far more about what kind of things someone is inclined to achieve (and signal) as well as how well they are able to motivate themselves than it does about intelligence (see, for example, every second page here). Accomplishments are better measures than IQ, but they are not a measure of intelligence at all.
I agree that both Bostrom and Wolfram are very smart, but this does not a convincing case make. Even someone at 99.9999th percentile intelligence will have 6,800 people who are as smart or smarter than they are.
Ok, here are some people:
Nick Bostrom (http://www.nickbostrom.com/cv.pdf) Stephen Wolfram (Published his first particle physics paper at 16 I think, invented one of, if not, the most successful math programs ever and in my opinion the best ever) A couple people who’s names I won’t mention since I doubt you’d know them from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab where I did some work. etc.
I say this because these people have numerous significant contributions to their fields of study. I mean real technical contributions that move the field forward not just terms and vague to be solved problems.
My analysis of EY is based on having worked in AI and knowing people in AI none of whom talk about their importance in the field as much as EY with as few papers, and breakthroughs as EY. If you want to claim you’re smart you have to have accomplishments that back it up right? Where are EYs publications, where is the math for his TDT? The worlds hardest math problem is unlikely to be solved by someone who needs to hire someone with more depth in the field of math. (both statements can be referenced to EY)
Sorry this is harsh but there it is.
I think you have confused “smart” with “accomplished”, or perhaps “possessed of a suitably impressive resumé”.
No, because I don’t believe in using IQ as a measure of intelligence (having taken an IQ test) and I think accomplishments are a better measure (quality over quantity obviously). If you have a better measure then fine.
What do you think “intelligence” is?
Do you think that accomplishments, when present, are fairly accurate proof of intelligence (and that you are skeptical of claims thereto without said proof), but that intelligence can sometimes exist in their absence; or do you claim something stronger?
Previously, Eliezer has said that intelligence is efficient optimization.
I have trouble meshing this definition with the concept of intelligent insanity.
Intelligently insane efficiently optimize stuff in the way they don’t want it optimized.
Eliezer invoked the notion of intelligent insanity in response to Aumann’s approach to the absent-minded driver problem. In this case, what was Aumann efficiently optimizing in spite of his own wishes?
“Do you think that accomplishments, when present, are fairly accurate proof of intelligence (and that you are skeptical of claims thereto without said proof)”
Couldn’t have said it better myself. The only addition would be that IQ is an insufficient measure although it can be useful when combined with accomplishment.
I once came third in a marathon. How smart am I? If I increase my mileage to a level that would be required for me to come first would that make me smarter? Does the same apply when I’m trying to walk in 40 years?
ETA: I thought I cancelled this one. Nevermind, I stand by my point. Achievement is the best predictor of future achievement. It isn’t a particularly good measure of intelligence. Achievement shows far more about what kind of things someone is inclined to achieve (and signal) as well as how well they are able to motivate themselves than it does about intelligence (see, for example, every second page here). Accomplishments are better measures than IQ, but they are not a measure of intelligence at all.
I agree that both Bostrom and Wolfram are very smart, but this does not a convincing case make. Even someone at 99.9999th percentile intelligence will have 6,800 people who are as smart or smarter than they are.