Zvi comments on Announcing the Quantified Health Prize - Less Wrong

50 Post author: Zvi 02 December 2011 06:01AM

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Comment author: JosephBuchignani 02 December 2011 11:06:20AM 2 points [-]

I've posted a critique of the contest's internal assumptions here, along with part of my answer:

http://www.aquatic-ape-diet.com/blog/2011/12/02/critiquing-the-lesswrong-mineral-supplementation-5000-contest/

Comment author: Zvi 02 December 2011 12:53:56PM 4 points [-]

This is a problem with asking practically any question about health, if you have the point of view espoused in your article/website regarding health. Not only will it be the response to any question on nutrition, most questions about other things will get an answer starting with "First, fix your diet!" I know this first hand, since several of my friends have similar points of view.

Not that there's anything wrong with that! What you say is a valid hypothesis, and if that is what you believe than that is what you should answer with your own, different kind of research. It will not be automatically dismissed, and if you convince us that you're right, you'll win. I'd be disappointed if no one tried this in some form.

Also note that even if everything you think about nutrition is correct, that doesn't mean that you can convince a given patient to follow your advice, so recommendations for the rest of us are still highly useful, and even if modern medicine was hopelessly broken a decision must still be made on what to do.

Comment author: JosephBuchignani 02 December 2011 03:08:48PM 3 points [-]

"It will not be automatically dismissed, "

I'm more than satisfied with that. And I agree with the rest of your comment. As I said in the article, I think the company is a good idea.