Vladimir_Nesov comments on Post ridiculous munchkin ideas! - LessWrong

55 Post author: D_Malik 15 May 2013 10:27PM

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Comment author: Vladimir_Nesov 13 May 2013 11:17:40PM 3 points [-]

This setting seems more optimal for actually doing theoretical work of your own choosing without getting distracted by a need to compete or justify your interests. It seems less risky/way easier than trying to get the same benefits while working within academia, but you won't get the external motivation/guidance/sanity-checking and by default won't be as close to the professional community.

Comment author: Wei_Dai 16 May 2013 01:25:17AM 2 points [-]

It seems less risky/way easier than trying to get the same benefits while working within academia

Right, you can get the same benefits in academia by getting tenure, but how many people manage that, and even if you do, the most productive period of your life might already be over by then.

but you won't get the external motivation/guidance/sanity-checking

This is an important consideration. The external motivation/guidance/sanity-checking provided by the relevant online non-professional communities were enough for me to be productive and not become a crank, etc., but maybe (as cousin_it suggests) I'm very unusual in that regard.