LW Supplement use survey
I've put together a very basic survey using google forms inspired by NancyLebovitz recent discussion post on supplement use
Survey includes options for "other" and "do not use supplements." Results are anonymous and you can view all the results once you have filled it in, or use this link.
Link to the Survey
What information has surprised you most recently?
Information that surprises you is interesting as it exposes where you have been miscalibrated, and allows you to correct for that.
I suspect the users of LessWrong have fairly similar beliefs, so it is probable that information that has surprised you would surprise others here, so it would be useful for them if you shared them.
Example: In a discussion with a friend recently I realised I had massively miscalibrated on the percentage of the UK population who shared my beliefs on certain subjects, in general the population was far more conservative than I had expected.
In retrospect I was assuming my own personal experience was more representative than it was, even when attempting to correct for that.
Less Wrong link exchange
We've had similar threads before, but not for a while so I thought I'd make one.
Basic rules, share links that are relevant to Less Wrong areas of interest, but aren't worthy of their own post. Please include a brief description with the link. (My own contributions are below.)
Podcast on Cryonics by 'Stuff you should know'
The podcast 'Stuff you should know' has done an episode on cryonics.
Available here:
I don't know much about the subject, but what do people think of it as a depiction of cryonics in popular culture?
Rationalist approach to developing Writing skills
The ability to write efficiently and persuasively is important in many areas of life, and especially for spreading rationalist memes and hence raising the sanity waterline.
While there are a lot of very good and persuasive writers of both fiction and non-fiction on Less Wrong there seems to be relatively little advice on how to improve one's writing skills.
While there are a huge number of writing guides available, much like general self help they rarely reference studies on the effectiveness of the advice contained, and while some come from very successful authors, the problems of generalising from one example are well known.
Given this, would people be willing to supply rationalist supported strategies for improving writing skills?
Notes,
I've looked for previous posts on this subject, but if I have missed a previous good discussion please link to it and I will close this thread.
The most obvious piece of advice would be to engage in large amounts of writing practice, but hopefully you will be able to supply some more strategic advice than that.
Edit,
Consensus so far is that a high level of practice is very important, ideally paired with useful and continuous feedback. Otherwise a general agreement that the process is very idiosyncratic, with a few good suggestions for resources that have worked for individuals.
Ideally we'd be looking for advice that has helped a large majority of people to have tried it, if any such exists.
(Also added links)
Best articles to link to when introducing someone to Less Wrong?
I've recently been trying to introduce some of my friends to less wrong. As a starting point I've linked them to HP:MOR and 'Three worlds collide' on the basis that they are both entertaining and accessible. But I'm not sure where to go next. Sending them to a main index page would likely be overwhelming, so could you suggest some sample articles to give them a general flavour of less wrong and envourage them to read more?
Qualities for such articles would probably include being:
- accessible to an intelligent non-specialist, so not include too much jargon and dependences on other articles;
- relatively short, so they can be absorbed at one sitting and aren't offputtingly long;
- well written and readable, in such a way that gives a good impression of less wrong's competence to the skeptical;
- and more optionally being on a particularly interesting subject matter.
What would you suggest?
[As I'm still a relative novice myself, apologies if a similar discussion has been had in the past and I haven't stumbled across it.]
Start the week - On life extension, neuro-ethics, human enhancement and materialism
Briefly Start the week is a popular BBC radio 4 program discussing scientific and cultural events in the UK. This episode covers a lot of issues relevant to Less Wrong.
In their own words:
"Andrew Marr explores the limits of science and art in this week's Start the Week. The philosopher and neuroscientist Raymond Tallis mounts an all-out assault on those who see neuroscience and evolutionary theory as holding the key to understanding human consciousness and society. While fellow scientist Barbara Sahakian explores the ethical dilemmas which arise when new drugs developed to treat certain conditions are used to enhance performance in the general population. And the gerontologist Aubrey de Grey looks to the future when regenerative medicine prevents the process of aging."
Available for listening here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0122szw
Podcast here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006r9xr
Admittedly this is a more populist approach to the issues then we're used to, and there are a few moments where the guests make statements we would find a bit silly. But it seems to provide a very good summary of the issues for a lay audience, and an excellent defense of the moral importance of life extension.
Thoughts?
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