Hariant comments on Break your habits: be more empirical - Less Wrong

95 Post author: Academian 02 October 2010 09:04PM

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Comment author: [deleted] 02 October 2010 11:29:58PM *  5 points [-]

This is a rather simple idea, but it's a rationality technique I think often under considered (I know I hadn't considered it until just now). It's very unlikely any of us have found a lifestyle that's optimally enjoyable, even if we've found one very enjoyable. This post works as a constant reminder to try things because trying things is how we learn about them. Thus, when it's inexpensive, "why not?" should be our reflex reaction, but this post may make some of us realize that "why?" is our current one.

It's also a perfect case of being "science-y" in what the average person sees as an "un-science-y" domain (namely: things we find enjoyable). It may not raise the sanity waterline in of itself, but I think this post is still a good example of epistemic rationality turning into instrumental rationality.