EStokes comments on Designing Rationalist Projects - Less Wrong

30 Post author: calcsam 12 May 2011 03:38AM

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Tags: community meetup religion self-improvement group organizing

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Comment author: Swimmer963 12 May 2011 12:48:39PM 4 points [-]

Finally, a really 'low-cost' way to make a project and follow up. Right before the conclusion of a Less Wrong group, give everyone a slip of paper and ask them to write down one thing they are going to do differently next week as a result of the discussion. For two minutes (total) at the beginning of the next meeting, let people tell what they did.

This is a really good idea. I've enjoyed your series of posts and I think you have a lot of really good ideas.

Comment author: AngryParsley 12 May 2011 03:15:36PM 7 points [-]

That tactic combines commitment and consistency with social proof. After 5 people have told the group what honorable and high-status things they're going to do, you'd have a hard time saying, "Well I didn't learn anything useful tonight, but it was fun to catch up with some of you guys." even if it were true.

Comment author: fubarobfusco 12 May 2011 10:04:00PM 2 points [-]

This suggests that it would inspire making things up to sound good, regardless of whether they are true. I don't think that's a hugely great result.

Comment author: AngryParsley 12 May 2011 10:30:41PM *  3 points [-]

That's the point I was trying to make. I'm sorry if it came across as endorsing the tactic. "Commitment and consistency" and "social proof" are two of the six "weapons of influence" from Cialdini's Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion.

Comment author: mutterc 13 May 2011 05:13:00PM 1 point [-]

Maybe. Being a lone dissenter is likely high status amongst LWers.

Comment author: handoflixue 12 May 2011 11:31:46PM 1 point [-]

Hmmmm, that's a good point. I like the idea of hanging out casually and growing at my own pace. I like the idea of learning skills that help me accelerate that pace. I definitely dislike any sort of social pressure to match the group's pacing, though.

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