wedrifid comments on Group selection update - Less Wrong

38 Post author: PhilGoetz 01 November 2010 04:51PM

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Comment author: wedrifid 02 November 2010 06:38:59PM *  3 points [-]

That argument may involve extrapolating more than a single generation into the future

I cringe a bit when I read evolutionary things presented this way. It makes a kind of sense from the perspective of a personified advisor but even so caries a huge risk of confusing people. It's backwards, dammit, improved reproductive success because of traits that produced desirable outcomes multiple generations in the past.

(I do not think you are confused and I upvoted your comment.)

Comment author: Perplexed 02 November 2010 07:02:23PM 1 point [-]

I cringe a bit when I read evolutionary things presented this way. ... It's backwards, dammit ...

I sympathize. I have a related cringe whenever anyone mentions Omega and Timeless or acausal decision theories. At least I hope my cringe is related because I don't want to think that the people who mention these things are actually confused.

Comment author: wedrifid 02 November 2010 07:07:21PM 1 point [-]

At least I hope my cringe is related because I don't want to think that the people who mention these things are actually confused.

That's generous of you. I know you are particularly wary of TDT, etc. :)