I don’t mind. :) I think there should be more of this kind of discussion.
In which fields do you think people with akrasia-problems and IQ of around 130 can have the most impact for reducing existential risks?
I don’t think there is a general answer to this. There are many forms of akrasia. They have several different causes and also several different effects. Where you can have the most impact depends on what your akrasia allows you to do, and which parts of your akrasia you can beat. It also depends on what your natural talents are otherwise, what you’re intrinsically motivated to do, and what you can motivate yourself to do even though you have no intrinsic interest in it.
For instance, you were surprised to hear about my issues because you’ve seen me write a lot. The thing is, I find writing-related akrasia relatively easy to beat. However, when it comes to learning new math, my akrasia gets a lot worse. Overcoming it usually requires that I see interesting applications for which I can use the math at once. I’m also not intrinsically curious about most math: the best math folks are the ones who get a lot of practice at it because they keep playing with fun math problems all the time. I certainly play with math problems every now and then as well, but nowhere to the degree that some people do. I still haven’t read most of the decision theory discussion here.
My advice would be to figure out where your comparative advantage is. Look at the things you’re good at and which come easily to you. Then try to figure out whether there’s something x-risk-related that could benefit from those skills.
Personally, I finally figured out that my comparative advantage is probably in writing and the social sciences. I just finished a BA in cognitive science, and I’m now taking a three-month sabbatical to concentrate on a) getting practice in writing b) improving my mental health by various means, particularly meditation. My current long-term goal involves honing my writing to such a point that I can make a living with it and become an influential enough writer/public figure to significantly raise support for x-risk work.
I currently think this is the best way to go for me: but for somebody else, the best way to go might be something different entirely.
I don’t mind. :) I think there should be more of this kind of discussion.
I don’t think there is a general answer to this. There are many forms of akrasia. They have several different causes and also several different effects. Where you can have the most impact depends on what your akrasia allows you to do, and which parts of your akrasia you can beat. It also depends on what your natural talents are otherwise, what you’re intrinsically motivated to do, and what you can motivate yourself to do even though you have no intrinsic interest in it.
For instance, you were surprised to hear about my issues because you’ve seen me write a lot. The thing is, I find writing-related akrasia relatively easy to beat. However, when it comes to learning new math, my akrasia gets a lot worse. Overcoming it usually requires that I see interesting applications for which I can use the math at once. I’m also not intrinsically curious about most math: the best math folks are the ones who get a lot of practice at it because they keep playing with fun math problems all the time. I certainly play with math problems every now and then as well, but nowhere to the degree that some people do. I still haven’t read most of the decision theory discussion here.
My advice would be to figure out where your comparative advantage is. Look at the things you’re good at and which come easily to you. Then try to figure out whether there’s something x-risk-related that could benefit from those skills.
Personally, I finally figured out that my comparative advantage is probably in writing and the social sciences. I just finished a BA in cognitive science, and I’m now taking a three-month sabbatical to concentrate on a) getting practice in writing b) improving my mental health by various means, particularly meditation. My current long-term goal involves honing my writing to such a point that I can make a living with it and become an influential enough writer/public figure to significantly raise support for x-risk work.
I currently think this is the best way to go for me: but for somebody else, the best way to go might be something different entirely.
Thanks for the advice! I really appreciate it.