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buybuydandavis comments on [Link] Mainstream media writing about rationality-informed approaches - Less Wrong Discussion
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Comments (4)
I don't think that was the best expression of his point (by him). We don't get to want the universe we want into existence.
From the article:
That's much more about how he wants to live in the tiny little near world around himself, which he does have a lot of power to shape by his own choices.
I don't follow this. Isn't he just talking about alternative possible futures -- one where he hides his illness, and one where he's open about it?
He's saying he felt an inclination to hide it, but then he reasoned about the implications of following that feeling, and decided that in the long run being open about his mental illness would be better.
Yes. That's why the quote is misleading. At least it was to me.
When I first read the quote by the OP, I was apprehensive that the article would hold some Super Rationality Categorical Imperative nonsense, projecting his choice onto everyone in The World.
No. He didn't do that.
He's picking his own choice, and thereby a rather limited piece of the world, and not an entire world. If he were picking The World He Wants, perhaps he'd choose to be Immortal God Emperor instead of just being honest about his mental illness.
The only thing we have any real influence over in the world is our own thought, feeling, and behavior patterns. So yes, I would say that making choices about that tiny little world is the most important thing we can be doing as agents. Everything else is secondary.