David_Gerard comments on Defecting by Accident - A Flaw Common to Analytical People - Less Wrong

86 Post author: lionhearted 01 December 2010 08:25AM

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Comment author: Alicorn 02 December 2010 11:35:42PM 7 points [-]

So, are you surprised that it's commonly offered advice on how to become one of the most productive and connected people in any work environment? Offer to help anyone on anything, do double duty on work, and be gracious of it?

Because that is, in fact really common advice. I'd really, really encourage you to try it. I used to believe in being a "straight shooter", "all content no fluff", etc, etc, etc. Seriously, try it the other way for a couple weeks. I think you'll be amazed as what happens.

Try it! Don't guess, try it. Seriously, it might change your life.

While there may be environments in which this is in fact spectacular advice and would be well-received, I find these paragraphs so obnoxious that they set my teeth on edge. Why should I believe advice about making people feel good which sets my teeth on edge?

Comment author: David_Gerard 02 December 2010 11:48:24PM 5 points [-]

Why should I believe advice about making people feel good which sets my teeth on edge?

Because whether it works or not is independent of whether it sets your teeth on edge. That would be a reason not to act on it, but not a reason to dismiss its validity.

Comment author: Alicorn 02 December 2010 11:50:45PM *  7 points [-]

Because whether it works or not is independent of whether it sets your teeth on edge.

I am a person. I belong to the same reference class as those who this sort of thing would be expected to work on.

I do not find this style of politeness to "work" for me.

It is, I grant, a weak reason to dismiss the claims, but it is a reason, and conjoined with other, similar replies under this post, it adds up to a more compelling reason.

Comment author: David_Gerard 02 December 2010 11:57:12PM *  1 point [-]

My style, or Lionhearted's? If mine, please do comment on problems in my comments. If not mine, you may be typing too fast.

Comment author: Alicorn 02 December 2010 11:58:06PM 2 points [-]

Bah, sorry, Lionhearted's, I lost track of who was saying what. Editing.

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