It’s more that the post isn’t well written. It mentions omnipotence (for God), some thoughts that past philosophers had on then, and then rambles about things being difficult to conceive (without any definitions or decomposition of the problem) and then brings in Omega, with an example equivalent to “1) Assume Omega never lies, 2) Omega lies”.
Then when we get to the actual point, it’s simply “maybe the Newcomb problem is impossible”. With no real argument to back that up (and do bear in mind that if copying of intelligence is possible, then the Newcomb problem is certainly possible; and I’ve personally got a (slightly) better-than-chance record at predicting if people 1-box or 2-box on Newcomb-like problems, so a limited Omega certainly is possible).
Then when we get to the actual point, it’s simply “maybe the Newcomb problem is impossible”.
Well written, well read, definitely one or the other. Of course in my mind it is the impossibility of Omega that is central, and I support that with the title of my post. In my mind, Newcomb’s problem is a good example. And from the discussion, it may turn out to be a good example. I have learned that
1) WIth the numbers stated, Omega doesn’t need to have mysterious powers, he only needs to be right a little mroe than 1⁄2 the time.
2) Then other commenters go on to realize that understanding of HOW Omega is right will impact on whether one should one-box or two-box
So even IF the “meat” was Newcomb’s problem this post is an intellectual success for me (and I feel confident for some of those who have pointed out the ways Newcomb’s problem becomes more interesting with a finite Omega).
As to a full support for my ideas, it seems to me that posts must be limited in length and content to be read and responded to. That ONE form of “crackpot” is the person who shows up with 1000 pages or even 25 pages of post to support his unusual point. Stylistically, I think the discussion on this post justifies the way I wrote it. The net karma bombing was largely halted by my “whiney” edit. The length and substance of my post was considered in such a way as to be quite useful to my understanding (and naming this section “Discussion” suggests at least some positive value in that).
So in the internet age, a post which puts hooks for concepts in place without hanging 10s of pages of pre-emptive verbiage on each one is superior to its wordy alternative. And lesswrong’s collective emergent action is to karma bomb such posts. Is this a problem? More for me than for you, that is for sure.
My objection, more succinctly: too long an introduction, not enough argument in the main part. Rewriting it with a paragraph (or three) cut from the intro and an extra paragraph of arguments about the impossibility of Omega in Newcomb would have made it much better, in my opinion.
It’s more that the post isn’t well written. It mentions omnipotence (for God), some thoughts that past philosophers had on then, and then rambles about things being difficult to conceive (without any definitions or decomposition of the problem) and then brings in Omega, with an example equivalent to “1) Assume Omega never lies, 2) Omega lies”.
Then when we get to the actual point, it’s simply “maybe the Newcomb problem is impossible”. With no real argument to back that up (and do bear in mind that if copying of intelligence is possible, then the Newcomb problem is certainly possible; and I’ve personally got a (slightly) better-than-chance record at predicting if people 1-box or 2-box on Newcomb-like problems, so a limited Omega certainly is possible).
Well written, well read, definitely one or the other. Of course in my mind it is the impossibility of Omega that is central, and I support that with the title of my post. In my mind, Newcomb’s problem is a good example. And from the discussion, it may turn out to be a good example. I have learned that 1) WIth the numbers stated, Omega doesn’t need to have mysterious powers, he only needs to be right a little mroe than 1⁄2 the time. 2) Then other commenters go on to realize that understanding of HOW Omega is right will impact on whether one should one-box or two-box
So even IF the “meat” was Newcomb’s problem this post is an intellectual success for me (and I feel confident for some of those who have pointed out the ways Newcomb’s problem becomes more interesting with a finite Omega).
As to a full support for my ideas, it seems to me that posts must be limited in length and content to be read and responded to. That ONE form of “crackpot” is the person who shows up with 1000 pages or even 25 pages of post to support his unusual point. Stylistically, I think the discussion on this post justifies the way I wrote it. The net karma bombing was largely halted by my “whiney” edit. The length and substance of my post was considered in such a way as to be quite useful to my understanding (and naming this section “Discussion” suggests at least some positive value in that).
So in the internet age, a post which puts hooks for concepts in place without hanging 10s of pages of pre-emptive verbiage on each one is superior to its wordy alternative. And lesswrong’s collective emergent action is to karma bomb such posts. Is this a problem? More for me than for you, that is for sure.
My objection, more succinctly: too long an introduction, not enough argument in the main part. Rewriting it with a paragraph (or three) cut from the intro and an extra paragraph of arguments about the impossibility of Omega in Newcomb would have made it much better, in my opinion.
But glad the discussion was useful!