Desrtopa comments on A LessWrong "rationality workbook" idea - Less Wrong

21 Post author: jwhendy 09 January 2011 05:52PM

You are viewing a comment permalink. View the original post to see all comments and the full post content.

Article Navigation

Comments (26)

Comments (26)

You are viewing a single comment's thread. Show more comments above.

Comment author: Desrtopa 09 January 2011 05:10:09AM *  2 points [-]

I suspect that if the workbook came included with the book, a lot fewer people would buy it though. Possibly it could contain the address at which you could access the workbook online, and maybe print it out, although even such a trivial inconvenience could still be a barrier to a lot of people.

I think that it may be worth moving this article to the main page.

Comment author: jwhendy 09 January 2011 06:40:28AM *  3 points [-]

I agree re. an included workbook and to clarify, when I said "go along with it" I meant "related/parallel content," not "physically attached."

I think a downloadable PDF (easily accessible, easily revised/updated) for little or no cost would be optimal. I'd be willing to pay for it to cover the time and effort invested by other LWers. I'd also volunteer my time for free to the project as an organizer/assembler to assist those willing to supply/decide the actual content. I have a decent amount of experience with writing technical manuals and a fair amount of experience using LaTeX, which would lend itself well to the writing of an organized, footnoted workbook type of publication.

I think that it may be worth moving this article to the main page.

If perhaps two more agree with this, I'll do it... otherwise forcefully suggest it and I'll do it based on your recommendation alone. Again, I really have no idea what constitutes a top-level-worthy post!

Comment author: Normal_Anomaly 09 January 2011 06:55:52PM 0 points [-]

Please move this to the main page. I'd love to see it done; I don't know if there's anything I could contribute in the way of time and knowledge.

I also second (third?) the suggestion for trying to make it a companion to The Art of Rationality. Desrtopa, why do you think fewer people would buy it if they came together? Is it because books with workbooks attached look intimidating?

Comment author: jwhendy 09 January 2011 07:28:44PM *  1 point [-]

I liked the idea of a separate, electronic format for several reasons:

  • Those who don't buy the book can still have the assistance of a practical guide (though hopefully most would buy the book...)
  • I see the two as serving different purposes. While I don't know what Eliezer's format/content will be, perhaps the book could be viewed as sort of reference "textbook" for education, with the workbook serving as a guide to actually apply such information to your own life (just learned about bias x? Great, here's how to identify it in your life)
  • Lastly, I like an electronic format simply for the accessibility of it (have internet? Super -- download it and continue where you left off) as well as the ease of updating. One great usefulness of updates could be to make various versions with different problem sets -- once you run out, the next edition will replenish your supply.
Comment author: Desrtopa 09 January 2011 07:16:13PM 1 point [-]

Is it because books with workbooks attached look intimidating?

Yes, that and it conveys the impression that reading it is work,

Comment author: Vaniver 09 January 2011 05:06:07PM 0 points [-]

Thirded; move it to main.

Comment author: jwhendy 09 January 2011 05:51:38PM 0 points [-]

Done.

Comment author: bentarm 09 January 2011 10:48:56AM *  0 points [-]

I think that it may be worth moving this article to the main page.

If perhaps two more agree with this, I'll do it...

Move this to the main page.

Comment author: atucker 10 January 2011 12:19:40AM 0 points [-]

Possibly it could contain the address at which you could access the workbook online, and maybe print it out, although even such a trivial inconvenience could still be a barrier to a lot of people.

Bothering to access the workbook online could be a practice test of instrumental rationality in and of itself.

Comment author: shokwave 31 January 2011 03:10:02PM 0 points [-]

And if you explicitly frame it as such, the entire book has primed them to pass this particular test.

Powered by Reddit Powered by Reddit