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fubarobfusco comments on Open thread, January 25- February 1 - Less Wrong Discussion

8 Post author: NancyLebovitz 25 January 2014 02:52PM

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Comment author: fubarobfusco 25 January 2014 09:33:28PM 2 points [-]

I have never biked twenty miles in one go.
It could be that this reflects some inherent limit.
Or it could be that I just haven't tried yet.

If I believe that it is an inherent limit, how might I test my belief?
Only by trying anyway.
If I try and succeed, then I will update.

If I believe that it is not an inherent limit, how might I test my belief?
Only by trying anyway.
If I try and fail, then I will update.

In either case, the test of my ability
Is not in contemplating what mechanisms of self might limit me,
But in trying anyway, when I have the opportunity to do so,
And seeing what happens.

Comment author: [deleted] 26 January 2014 01:21:12AM 1 point [-]

Be careful not to find yourself 7 miles away from home on your bike and too tired to keep on cycling.

Comment author: RichardKennaway 26 January 2014 09:11:02AM 1 point [-]

Be careful not to find yourself 7 miles away from home on your bike and too tired to keep on cycling.

If that means arranging with a friend to pick you up in their car if you have to bail out, or picking a circular route that never takes you that far from home, or any other way of handling the contingency. Going "but suppose I fail!" and not trying is an even worse piece of wormtonguing than the one fubarobfusco is addressing.