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RomeoStevens comments on "Stupid" questions thread - Less Wrong Discussion

40 Post author: gothgirl420666 13 July 2013 02:42AM

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Comment author: Vaniver 15 July 2013 06:06:28PM *  2 points [-]

This is a piece of advice that most people disagree with, and so I am reluctant to endorse it. Knowing people's names is important, and it's useful to use them when appropriate, but inserting them into conversations where they do not belong is a known influence technique that will make other people cautious.

(While we're on the subject of recommendations I disagree with, Carnegie recommends recording people's birthdays, and sending them a note or a call. This used to be a lot more impressive before systems to automatically do that existed, and in an age of Facebook I don't think it's worth putting effort into. Those are the only two from the book that I remember thinking were unwise.)

Comment author: RomeoStevens 15 July 2013 09:36:46PM 4 points [-]

Be judicious, and name drop with one level of indirection. "That's sort of what like John was saying earlier I believe yada yada."