I think this a good idea in general, but I see some problems in the specific.
First, the list seems sort of arbitrary. For example, why “write 500 words of fiction” rather than “paint a simple picture” (I’m not much of an artist, but I’m sure someone else could make that more specific—“use four watercolor colors to paint a picture of an x” or something) or “create a simple song”?. Similarly, why cooking rather than, say “learn how to fold a fitted sheet” for household skills? I think it would be better to create a longer list and then say leveling up requires satisfying at least eight of the criteria. This would also solve the “I just don’t care” problem (e.g. my non-knowledge of programming is a consequence of lack of interest, not lack of discipline, so I would not choose it as one of my required skills).
Second, the difficulty of these criteria seems very uneven. And that’s a very subjective thing. To me, most of these seem about right for level 1, but Self-Control seems too easy, while Memory and Finance seem like they should be at least level 2. However, I suspect other people would rank them differently. Relatedly, it would probably be easier to appropriately scale level 1 if you first established what the peak level is and what that would look like (that is not to say that people should stop trying to improve after that point—martial arts ranks stop at Judan even though self-improvement continues after achieving that rank) .
Finally, I think the Strength aspect is just misguided, at least according to the specific criteria cited. Deadlifts and cleans in particular can be fairly dangerous if you aren’t doing them correctly, which makes them an odd choice for level 1. More generally, bulking up doesn’t actually improve life for most people. I would substitute Tone for Strength, and base it on #pull-ups, #pushups, #situps, and #squats (w/o weights) to failure.
ETA: Heinlein appears to me to be doubly mistaken. First, because specialization and comparative advantage are one of the things that set humans apart from other animals. Second because social insects do not have a lot of different specializations (I stand ready to corrected by any entymologists around, but my lay understanding is that there is a basic worker—drone—queen division, and that is about it).
The strength requirements are a bit high, but at least it’s clear how to achieve them gradually, just add a little bit more weight from time to time. That’s not the case with the pull-up: it feels like a total miracle to someone who can’t do even one, they’d have no idea how to get from 0 to 1, and they would just give up. I’ve seen that several times.
You have some misconceptions about exercise. (Though it is true that improperly done exercises can injure you.) Since this is a rationality forum and not really the place for such a discussion, I will just point you and anyone else interested towards the /fit/ FAQ: http://www.liamrosen.com/fitness.html
Finally, I think the Strength aspect is just misguided, at least according to the specific criteria cited. Deadlifts and cleans in particular can be fairly dangerous if you aren’t doing them correctly, which makes them an odd choice for level 1. More generally, bulking up doesn’t actually improve life for most people. I would substitute Tone for Strength, and base it on #pull-ups, #pushups, #situps, and #squats (w/o weights) to failure.
I think this a good idea in general, but I see some problems in the specific.
First, the list seems sort of arbitrary. For example, why “write 500 words of fiction” rather than “paint a simple picture” (I’m not much of an artist, but I’m sure someone else could make that more specific—“use four watercolor colors to paint a picture of an x” or something) or “create a simple song”?. Similarly, why cooking rather than, say “learn how to fold a fitted sheet” for household skills? I think it would be better to create a longer list and then say leveling up requires satisfying at least eight of the criteria. This would also solve the “I just don’t care” problem (e.g. my non-knowledge of programming is a consequence of lack of interest, not lack of discipline, so I would not choose it as one of my required skills).
Second, the difficulty of these criteria seems very uneven. And that’s a very subjective thing. To me, most of these seem about right for level 1, but Self-Control seems too easy, while Memory and Finance seem like they should be at least level 2. However, I suspect other people would rank them differently. Relatedly, it would probably be easier to appropriately scale level 1 if you first established what the peak level is and what that would look like (that is not to say that people should stop trying to improve after that point—martial arts ranks stop at Judan even though self-improvement continues after achieving that rank) .
Finally, I think the Strength aspect is just misguided, at least according to the specific criteria cited. Deadlifts and cleans in particular can be fairly dangerous if you aren’t doing them correctly, which makes them an odd choice for level 1. More generally, bulking up doesn’t actually improve life for most people. I would substitute Tone for Strength, and base it on #pull-ups, #pushups, #situps, and #squats (w/o weights) to failure.
ETA: Heinlein appears to me to be doubly mistaken. First, because specialization and comparative advantage are one of the things that set humans apart from other animals. Second because social insects do not have a lot of different specializations (I stand ready to corrected by any entymologists around, but my lay understanding is that there is a basic worker—drone—queen division, and that is about it).
The strength requirements are a bit high, but at least it’s clear how to achieve them gradually, just add a little bit more weight from time to time. That’s not the case with the pull-up: it feels like a total miracle to someone who can’t do even one, they’d have no idea how to get from 0 to 1, and they would just give up. I’ve seen that several times.
You have some misconceptions about exercise. (Though it is true that improperly done exercises can injure you.) Since this is a rationality forum and not really the place for such a discussion, I will just point you and anyone else interested towards the /fit/ FAQ: http://www.liamrosen.com/fitness.html
I think Heinlein may have meant that different insect species have very specific niches.
I would reverse that ‘misguided’ claim.