Vaniver comments on Rationality Boot Camp - Less Wrong

73 Post author: Jasen 22 March 2011 08:37AM

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Comment author: Vaniver 03 April 2011 06:51:08PM *  1 point [-]

I don't mean to say that causing suffering is an intended part of the course, just to state why I think learning to withstand pain is more important to becoming a formidable rationalist than it sounds like you do.

I agree with you that it is very important and a very valuable skill. What I was trying to get across is that the suffering faced by a solider and a rationalist are different kinds of suffering, and the same strategies may not be effective. Does the ability to continue pumping iron, despite your screaming muscles, translate into the ability to speak in public, despite your screaming brain?

These are good questions.

Thanks!

Comment author: wedrifid 04 April 2011 07:13:25AM 2 points [-]

Does the ability to continue pumping iron, despite your screaming muscles, translate into the ability to speak in public, despite your screaming brain?

Yes.

Comment author: Vaniver 04 April 2011 09:27:20PM 0 points [-]

Interesting. I haven't had any fear of public speaking, and so I don't know what it's like to overcome it (while I do have difficulty motivating myself to continue exercising). Are there other mental fears / obstacles that seem like good examples?

I guess 'noticing a bias' might be an entirely orthogonal skill, but I'm not sure if that's applicable.

Comment author: wedrifid 05 April 2011 02:33:08AM *  7 points [-]

Mind you I wouldn't call pumping iron despite your screaming muscles a particularly efficient way to improve your ability to speak in public despite your screaming brain. But it certainly helps. Some relevant mediating factors:

  • Improved willpower and self control.
  • Decreased salience of psychological distress - you can feel the discomfort without it needing to control or define you.
  • Increased testosterone levels promote social risk-taking.
  • Physical conditioning increases self esteem - your perception of your own status. The instinct to not draw public attention - and not place yourself above your station - is intrinsically linked to your relative status levels.
  • Exercise changes posture. Even things as simple as standing differently change how difficult public speaking is!
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