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ChristianKl comments on Open thread, 18-24 March 2014 - Less Wrong Discussion

1 Post author: David_Gerard 18 March 2014 12:26PM

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Comment author: ChristianKl 18 March 2014 01:40:50PM 4 points [-]

It's easy enough to try priming abstract, rational, far thinking with cool blue colours, Mozart, and by surrounding oneself with books..

I wouldn't use the word rational in that place. Taking action instead of spending a lot of energy in mental analysis is often rational.

but is there any data on scents that nudge peoples' modes of thinking in similar directions? Failing that, is there anecdata?

I would guess that the smell of a library with a lot of books might be able to have an effect for people who spent a lot of time in libraries.

Comment author: DataPacRat 18 March 2014 08:52:00PM 0 points [-]

Taking action instead of spending a lot of energy in mental analysis is often rational.

In some cases, yes; but people tend to be willing to take action all on their own quite often anyway. I'm hoping to find something that nudges in the direction of far-mode thinking for those times when it /is/ appropriate to stop and think.

Comment author: ChristianKl 18 March 2014 09:48:52PM *  0 points [-]

In some cases, yes; but people tend to be willing to take action all on their own quite often anyway.

A lot of people on LW have akrasia problems. Having thing in their environment that bring them more into their heads wouldn't be beneficial.

I would profit more from an environment that primes me to take action than from one that makes me think more about what I'm doing.

Be aware of the tradeoff you are making.

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