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MichaelVassar comments on Bad reasons for a rationalist to lose - Less Wrong
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There are no "things that have no rules". If there were, you couldn't perceive them in the first place in order to make up rules about them.
Read that as "socially-recognized principles as to how something is to be done for things that physics permits in many different ways".
Spill the salt, you must throw some over your shoulder. Step on a crack, break your mother's back. Games and rituals. When people forget they're just games, problems arise.
This tendency can be used for good, though. As long as you're aware of the weakness, why not take advantage of it? Intentional self-priming, anchoring, rituals of all kinds can be repurposed.
Because repetition tends to reinforce things, both positive and negative.
You might be able to take advantage of a security weakness in your computer network, but if you leave it open other things will be able to take advantage of it too.
It's far better to close the hole and reduce vulnerability, even if it means losing access to short-term convenience.