steven0461 comments on Cookies vs Existential Risk - Less Wrong

8 Post author: FrankAdamek 30 August 2009 03:56AM

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Tags: utilitarianism akrasia existential_risk

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Comment author: steven0461 30 August 2009 08:49:11AM 1 point [-]

But everyone requires “balance”, by definition, and raw application of willpower won’t get you nearly far enough. It’s an exhaustible resource, and while it can carry you through several hours or a few days, it’s not going to carry you through several decades.

And you just drained mine by talking about cookies so much. Would it kill you to say "celery" instead?!

Comment author: FrankAdamek 30 August 2009 01:12:18PM 1 point [-]

I actually have a very rare verbo-medical condition, funny you should ask...

Did the mention of cookies get truly tiresome? Besides a cluster in one of the first paragraphs it doesn't seem bad to me, and I'm not sure how serious your comment is.

Comment author: CarlShulman 31 August 2009 12:10:18AM 1 point [-]

Steven is referring to data showing that resisting the temptation to eat cookies drains willpower and mental acuity. However, I don't think the effect would be strong if there were no actual cookies nearby to tempt him.

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