byrneseyeview comments on Experiential Pica - Less Wrong

80 Post author: Alicorn 16 August 2009 09:23PM

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Comment author: byrneseyeview 16 August 2009 11:09:33PM 3 points [-]

This is certainly an interesting idea, but I'm skeptical. I've noticed that a few practices have that effect (exercise, for example), but it seems to me that it's more a matter of habitually exercising willpower than getting the right mix of experiences. Lots of extremely successful people just spend all their time doing whatever it is that they do well.

For example, when I read this pleasant profile of Richard Posner, I don't imagine that he's a great jurist because he goes to the zoo or plays with his cat; I imagine that he's a great jurist because, aside from playing with his cat, eating, sleeping, and commuting, he spends all his time obsessing over the law.