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daedalus2u comments on A speculation on Near and Far Modes - Less Wrong
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I think this idea is essentially correct, but instead of near-mode vs far-mode, I think the balance is more between a "theory of mind" and a "theory of reality" which I have written about.
http://daedalus2u.blogspot.com/2008/10/theory-of-mind-vs-theory-of-reality.html
The only things that can be communicated are mental concepts. To communicate a concept, the concept needs to be converted into the communication data stream using a communication protocol that can be decoded at the other end of the communication link. The communication protocols that convert mental concepts into language (and back) is what I call the “theory of mind”. A good ToM is necessary for communication, but it can only be used for communicating with a ToM that matches it. If the two ToMs don't match, then they can't be used for communication.
When the ToMs don't match, I think it triggers xenophobia.
http://daedalus2u.blogspot.com/2010/03/physiology-behind-xenophobia.html
Effectively when people meet and try to communicate, they do a Turing Test, and if the error rate is too high, it triggers feelings of xenophobia via the uncanny valley effect. If you allow your ToM to change to accommodate and understand the person you feel xenophobia for, then the xenophobia will go away. If you don't, then the feelings of xenophobia remain. The decision to allow your ToM to change is what differentiates a non-racist from a racist.