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Jiro comments on Crazy Ideas Thread - Less Wrong Discussion
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I think "crazy idea" is underspecified. The kind of crazy idea that you probably want is an unusual way of meeting an acceptable goal and based on acceptable premises. You don't want someone posting "kill all the Jews" and you don't want someone posting "in order to get rid of the lizard invaders, we should..." even though those are certainly crazy ideas.
Of course, nobody would post those things outright, but there are shades of gray where the goal or premises are somewhat questionable, even if not outright as bad as killing all the Jews. (I think, for instance, that the "freedom from fear" post below is close to this.)
Could you suggest a more precise definition? Then I or somebody else can use it on a follow-up post.
A crazy idea is something most people would quickly dismiss because of the absurdity heuristic. We want crazy ideas that on reflection appear to have merit.
Sure. But how to know beforehand? The absurdity heuristic works also on yourself.
But then "crazy idea" wasn't meant literally for more inspirational.
Good point, although you can develop a feel for what others consider absurd.