RobinZ comments on Open Thread: February 2010, part 2 - Less Wrong

10 Post author: CronoDAS 16 February 2010 08:29AM

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Comment author: MrHen 19 February 2010 06:39:13PM 7 points [-]

Being able to comment smartly and in a style that gets you upvoted doesn't really need any grounding in any of those subjects. I just crossed 1500 karma and only have basic grounding in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Philosophy.

When I started out, I hadn't read more than EY's Bayes' for Dummies, The Simple Truth, and one post on Newcomb's.

In my opinion, the following things will help you more than a degree in any of the subjects you mentioned:

  • Crave the truth
  • Accept Reality as the source of truth
  • Learn in small steps
  • Ask questions when you don't understand something
  • Test yourself for growth
  • Be willing to enter at low status
  • Be willing to lose karma by asking stupid questions
  • Ignore the idiots
Comment author: RobinZ 19 February 2010 06:57:49PM 2 points [-]

Another factor:

  • Being willing to shut up about a subject when people vote it down.

So far as I am aware, the chief reason non-spammers have been banned is for obnoxious evangelism for some unpopular idea. Many people have unpopular ideas but continue to be valued members (e.g. Mitchell_Porter).

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