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OrphanWilde comments on Tell me what hat to buy - Less Wrong Discussion

4 Post author: DataPacRat 08 August 2015 03:10PM

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Comment author: OrphanWilde 20 August 2015 03:13:14PM 0 points [-]

Experience-altering chemicals suggest -very- strongly to me that hats change your perspective and make you feel more sheltered and protected, as well as less personally involved in the situation at hand (reducing social emotions, such as empathy). I'd guess hats are worn by people who lack social skills as a kind of self-medication to help alleviate their anxiety, rather than because they don't understand normal people don't wear hats.

Comment author: Lumifer 20 August 2015 03:47:19PM 1 point [-]

hats change your perspective and make you feel more sheltered and protected, as well as less personally involved in the situation at hand

Traditionally, that's the role of dark sunglasses.

I am not sure you feelings about hats generalize well.

Comment author: OrphanWilde 20 August 2015 06:11:52PM 0 points [-]

Both share the quality of decreasing the level of light entering your eyes (hats, by reducing your field of vision).

I was a huge fan of hats until I noticed the effect, which is limited to brimmed hats.

(Also consider social conventions about hats and their similarities to conventions about sunglasses. And consider the conventions themselves and how they would tie into these effects.)

Comment author: Lumifer 20 August 2015 06:19:47PM 2 points [-]

Both share the quality of decreasing the level of light entering your eyes

Actually, no, that's not the important thing. Dark sunglasses hide your eyes, in particular their expression and direction. It's harder for other people to gauge you -- that's what provides the "sheltered and protected" feeling.

As to social conventions, I believe the ones about hats go back to showing trust (or submission) by making yourself vulnerable to attack.