I think most of the value in being thin is looking attractive and being able to be physically active. I think Eliezer doesn’t really need to be more attractive than he already is (4 girlfriends) and isn’t a huge fan of rock climbing or whatever. As far as I’ve heard, most of the health benefits of exercise can be gotten without needing to actually be thin.
I somehow doubt that all of this effect is due to thin people exercising more. ETA: looks like the ‘optimal’ BMI for women is larger than for men, BTW.
Considering the social import of being attractive and getting around to see people and the correlation between active social life and longevity I think it’s more than you might think, but I agree with you. On the other hand, the trade off is a lot more reasonable if you can be relatively healthy and happy while fat AND it’s particularly hard for you to lose weight.
Considering the social import of being attractive and getting around to see people and the correlation between active social life and longevity I think it’s more than you might think, but I agree with you.
Well, they did control for, among other things, marital status. (Also, I’d guess that the BMI that maximizes conventional attractiveness would be higher for men than for women, and wouldn’t depend much on smoking.)
On the other hand, the trade off is a lot more reasonable if you can be relatively healthy and happy while fat AND it’s particularly hard for you to lose weight.
Yes. ISTM that for certain people losing weight has become a lost purpose.
Remember that BMI is based on the total body mass, and that muscle is denser than fat. (OTOH, that study corrected for level of exercise, and it’s quite possible that the BMI that would maximize an average white American man’s attractiveness if he’s not allowed to vary his level of exercise would indeed be around 20.)
that curvy figures are considered (by many) to be attractive?
I am one of those “many”, too, but ISTM that in present-day Western cultures we’re a minority; “thin” seems to have become a compliment. (Last year, someone offered to set me up with her roommate who probably had BMI around 18, and when I told her that I didn’t fancy her, she retorted “but she’s so skinny!” as though it was a positive.)
I don’t want to speculate about EY other than saying my model of him didn’t expect to ever see “too complex” brought up as a reason not to try anything. Maybe there’s too much overlap with HPMOR:Harry. It is possible that there are individuals whose akrasia levels / mental energy and self-image are unaffected by being overweight compared to not being overweight. Just unlikely.
As far as I’ve heard, most of the health benefits of exercise can be gotten without needing to actually be thin.
That’s true, but doesn’t change that ceteris paribus given little exercise, you’ll still live longer not being obese. Note that I’ve not even mentioned exercise. It’s certainly better being overweight and exercising (while still being overweight), than being overweight and not exercising.
I think most of the value in being thin is looking attractive and being able to be physically active. I think Eliezer doesn’t really need to be more attractive than he already is (4 girlfriends) and isn’t a huge fan of rock climbing or whatever. As far as I’ve heard, most of the health benefits of exercise can be gotten without needing to actually be thin.
I somehow doubt that all of this effect is due to thin people exercising more. ETA: looks like the ‘optimal’ BMI for women is larger than for men, BTW.
Considering the social import of being attractive and getting around to see people and the correlation between active social life and longevity I think it’s more than you might think, but I agree with you. On the other hand, the trade off is a lot more reasonable if you can be relatively healthy and happy while fat AND it’s particularly hard for you to lose weight.
Well, they did control for, among other things, marital status. (Also, I’d guess that the BMI that maximizes conventional attractiveness would be higher for men than for women, and wouldn’t depend much on smoking.)
Yes. ISTM that for certain people losing weight has become a lost purpose.
Higher for men? Despite the fact that women have higher BMI on average and that curvy figures are considered (by many) to be attractive?
Remember that BMI is based on the total body mass, and that muscle is denser than fat. (OTOH, that study corrected for level of exercise, and it’s quite possible that the BMI that would maximize an average white American man’s attractiveness if he’s not allowed to vary his level of exercise would indeed be around 20.)
I am one of those “many”, too, but ISTM that in present-day Western cultures we’re a minority; “thin” seems to have become a compliment. (Last year, someone offered to set me up with her roommate who probably had BMI around 18, and when I told her that I didn’t fancy her, she retorted “but she’s so skinny!” as though it was a positive.)
Ah, good points.
I don’t want to speculate about EY other than saying my model of him didn’t expect to ever see “too complex” brought up as a reason not to try anything. Maybe there’s too much overlap with HPMOR:Harry. It is possible that there are individuals whose akrasia levels / mental energy and self-image are unaffected by being overweight compared to not being overweight. Just unlikely.
That’s true, but doesn’t change that ceteris paribus given little exercise, you’ll still live longer not being obese. Note that I’ve not even mentioned exercise. It’s certainly better being overweight and exercising (while still being overweight), than being overweight and not exercising.
You’re reading “too complex” as “difficult” but eliezer means it as “something with inherently low priors for working”.
Pretty sure he meant “since this has inherently low priors for working, it’s too difficult to be worth it” ie expected utility is too low.