I have begun a design for a general computer tool to calculate utilities. To give a concrete example, you give it a sentence like

I would prefer X2 amount of money in Y1 months, to X2 in Y2 months. Then, give it reasonable bounds for X and Y, simple additional information (i.e. you always prefer more money to less), and let it interview some people. It'll plot a utility function for each person, and you can check the fit of various models (i.e. exponential discounting, no discounting, hyperbolic discounting).

My original goals were to * Emperically check the hyperbolic discounting claim. * Determine the best-priced value meal at Arby's.

However, I lost interest without further motivation. Given that this is of presumed interest to Less Wrong, I propose the following: If someone offers to sponsor me (give money to me on completion of the computer program), I'll work on the project. Or, if enough people bug me, I'll probably due it for no money. I would prefer only one of these two methods, to see which works better. Anybody who wants to bug me / pay me money, please respond in a comment.