I’d be interested in hearing more about this. Are there a lot of people like this? Are there polite ways to introduce people to this notion (I imagine some people would be somewhat insulted if you assumed they didn’t have this notion)?
That’s the thing—I don’t know! But it’s such a HUGE WIN technique.
And a serious susceptibility, if you’re introduced to it by the Renfields of a parasitic meme. And even if you already have it, if they get in through your awareness of the power of the idea of self-improvement.
I’m also wondering at other techniques—such as how to teach the notion of rationality by starting with small-scale instrumental rationality and expanding from there. I have no idea if that would work, but it sounds plausible. Of course, that can lead to the Litany of the Politician: “If believing this will get me what I want, then I want to believe this.” I expect I’d need to come up with a pile of this stuff then actually test it on actual people.
I’d be interested in hearing more about this. Are there a lot of people like this? Are there polite ways to introduce people to this notion (I imagine some people would be somewhat insulted if you assumed they didn’t have this notion)?
That’s the thing—I don’t know! But it’s such a HUGE WIN technique.
And a serious susceptibility, if you’re introduced to it by the Renfields of a parasitic meme. And even if you already have it, if they get in through your awareness of the power of the idea of self-improvement.
I’m also wondering at other techniques—such as how to teach the notion of rationality by starting with small-scale instrumental rationality and expanding from there. I have no idea if that would work, but it sounds plausible. Of course, that can lead to the Litany of the Politician: “If believing this will get me what I want, then I want to believe this.” I expect I’d need to come up with a pile of this stuff then actually test it on actual people.