cata comments on Less Wrong: Open Thread, September 2010 - Less Wrong

3 Post author: matt 01 September 2010 01:40AM

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Comment author: cata 01 September 2010 08:00:09PM 7 points [-]

Another perspective: I read the forbidden idea, understood it, but I have no sense of danger because (like the majority of humans) I don't really live my life in a way that's consistent with all the implications of my conscious rational beliefs. Even though it sounded like a convincing chain of reasoning to me, I find it difficult to have a personal emotional reaction or change my lifestyle based on what seem to be extremely abstract threats.

I think only people who are very committed rationalists would find that there are topics like this which could be mental health risks. Of course, that may include much of the LW population.

Comment author: Kaj_Sotala 02 September 2010 08:57:51PM 6 points [-]

I read the idea, but it seemed to have basically the same flaw as Pascal's wager does. On that ground alone it seemed like it shouldn't be a mental risk to anyone, but it could be that I missed some part of the argument. (Didn't save the post.)

Comment author: timtyler 08 September 2010 06:57:28AM 4 points [-]

My analysis was that it described a real danger. Not a topic worth banning, of course - but not as worthless a danger as the one that arises in Pascal's wager.

Comment author: Perplexed 01 September 2010 08:47:58PM 9 points [-]

How about an informed consent form:

  • (1) I know that the SIAI mission is vitally important.
  • (2) If we blow it, the universe could be paved with paper clips.
  • (3) Or worse.
  • (4) I hereby certify that points 1 & 2 do not give me nightmares.
  • (5) I accept that if point 3 gives me nightmares that points 1 and 2 did not give me, then I probably should not be working on FAI and should instead go find a cure for AIDS or something.
Comment author: wedrifid 02 September 2010 03:10:12AM 1 point [-]

I like it!

Although 5 could be easily replaced by "Go earn a lot of money in a startup, never think about FAI again but still donate money to SIAI because you remember that you have some good reason to that you don't want to think about explicitly."

Comment author: Snowyowl 02 September 2010 01:27:43PM *  0 points [-]

I feel you should detail point (1) a bit more (explain in more detail what the SIAI intends to do), but I agree with the principle. Upvoted.

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