shminux comments on Advice for an isolated Rationalist? - Less Wrong

12 Post author: Goobahman 03 April 2012 04:40AM

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Comment author: shminux 07 May 2012 03:34:34AM 0 points [-]

This led into a discussion of rationality, after which things cooled off.

Do you think you came across in a wrong way? Maybe too condescending, or too cold, or too calculating? Maybe you overused some LWish jargon, like "utility function"? Did you let her express her views and did you empathize with them?

Comment author: avichapman 07 May 2012 04:10:08AM 1 point [-]

I could have come across the wrong way. I'm pretty sure I mentioned a utility function at one point. I tried not to come across as cold. I think I gave her a chance to express her views. But she never did, so either I didn't do a good enough job or she had another reason not to express them (shock at me, never thought about it, etc).

Comment author: shminux 07 May 2012 07:27:29AM *  1 point [-]

Well, I suppose as a general advice, it's not a good idea to utter the words "utility function" on the first date with a person not already familiar with the term. Also, listening and empathizing (or, if you prefer, "constructing a mental model") is a rational thing to do when meeting new people, date or no date.