Wind comments on Welcome to Less Wrong! (8th thread, July 2015) - Less Wrong

13 Post author: Sarunas 22 July 2015 04:49PM

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Comment author: Wind 10 February 2016 04:05:38PM *  5 points [-]

Hi. I live in UmeƄ, Sweden. I have been aware of Less Wrong for some time now. First through HPMoR, and more lately I have been reading posts that my friend has recommended to me. I just recently decided I want to also join the discussion, so i crated this user to be able to comment.

I find it very useful do distinguish between what I call "debate" and "discussion"
"debate" = everyone involved is trying to win, where "win" usually means convincing the audience.
"discussion" = everyone involved is trying to learn the truth.
Less wrong is obviously a place for discussion, but even in a discussion I find the above vocabulary useful. However I don't know if this distinction are common use of these words. What words are commonly used for these concepts on LW?

I am currently thinking about The Worst Argument in the World. But I want to read some more before I decide if I have something relevant to contribute.

And I disagree with Yudkowsky's version of timeless physics. I might say something abut that If I can just find a way to formulate what I want to say. (It is not a language problem. It is more about that I fist have to explain stuff about gauge and symmetries and how sometimes you should not get rid of redundant variables just because you can.)

I am currently writing a thesis in Loop Quantum Cosmology. It is about an alternative ideas about the beginning of the universe. I is really cool but not as cool as it sounds. Due to several reasons I will probably not stay in this field. After my defence I don't know what to do. If some one have a job offer, or a career suggestion, let me know.

Comment author: Gram_Stone 10 February 2016 05:11:15PM 0 points [-]

I find it very useful do distinguish between what I call "debate" and "discussion" "debate" = everyone involved is trying to win, where "win" usually means convincing the audience. "discussion" = everyone involved is trying to learn the truth. Less wrong is obviously a place for discussion, but even in a discussion I find the above vocabulary useful. However I don't know if this distinction are common use of these words. What words are commonly used for these concepts on LW?

The article that I find most similar to this idea is The Scales of Justice, the Notebook of Rationality. You might call debate 'defending a side' or 'counting points', as opposed to seeking the truth.

Comment author: Vaniver 10 February 2016 08:44:53PM 1 point [-]

Welcome!

After my defence I don't know what to do. If some one have a job offer, or a career suggestion, let me know.

How much programming have you done so far? In my experience physicists tend to make the transition to programming fairly well because they have lots of experience with modeling / reasoning from first principles / mathematical thinking.

Comment author: Wind 14 February 2016 05:08:09PM 1 point [-]

Yes, that is one plan. I have not done much programming, but I have done enough to know that this is something I am capable of learning.

Comment author: Wind 10 April 2016 01:44:30AM 0 points [-]

I might post something soon, only I am confused by all the formatting.

Is there some where I can try it out with out actually posting?

I would like to to try out what LaTeX code is possible to include. I looked at the LaTeX to HTML for Less Wrong app but it seem to only pick upp expressions enclosed by single $, which is very limiting. Is this the only type of LaTeX code that is possible in LessWrong formatting environment, or it is just a limitation of the app?

Comment author: Wind 10 April 2016 02:00:37AM 0 points [-]

Never mind, I found the sandbox

Comment author: Wind 10 April 2016 02:09:05AM 0 points [-]

Anyone know a good trick for numbering equations?