Risto_Saarelma comments on Scholarship: How to Do It Efficiently - Less Wrong

113 Post author: lukeprog 09 May 2011 10:05PM

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Comment author: Risto_Saarelma 12 May 2011 07:48:24AM *  9 points [-]

There are also plenty of other subtle concepts which are easily and frequently misunderstood, even by people with degrees and publications in the field. (Just look at some of the statistics-related criticisms here...) Are there any good ways for an autodidact to avoid making such mistakes?

Look for informal forums where actual professionals from the field hang out (like computer science forums for example, or blogs of scientists), and try to catch them complaining about people constantly misusing some term?

Comment author: Emile 12 May 2011 08:35:40AM 3 points [-]

Seconded - also, discussing the topic in those forums is a good way to get your wrong notions bashed out of you by genuine philantropists.

If you don't know how to pronounce a word, say it loud!

Comment author: rhollerith_dot_com 12 May 2011 08:56:08AM *  3 points [-]

genuine philantropists.

Cute. Playing the midi file there while reading the lyrics is recommended.

Comment author: Emile 12 May 2011 03:33:37PM *  9 points [-]

To compliments inflated I've a withering reply;
And vanity I always do my best to mortify;
A charitable action I can skillfully dissect;
And interested motives I'm delighted to detect;

Apparently Gilbert and Sullivan knew Robin Hanson :)

Comment author: lukeprog 14 May 2011 07:42:34AM 4 points [-]

Kaj raises a significant problem, and I agree with the advice given by Risto and Emile. You can also contact experts directly, though they are less likely to respond than if you stick your neck out on a professional forum or blog and get corrected. These methods are far more efficient that actually getting a PhD in a subject merely to prevent a few such mistakes.

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