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Comment author: Slackson 06 May 2013 01:33:49PM *  2 points [-]

Is there any particular reason an AI wouldn't be able to self-modify with regards to its prior/algorithm for deciding prior probabilities? A basic Solomonoff prior should include a non-negligible chance that it itself isn't perfect for finding priors, if I'm not mistaken. That doesn't answer the question as such, but it isn't obvious to me that it's necessary to answer this one to develop a Friendly AI.

Comment author: Slackson 16 April 2013 09:27:24AM *  21 points [-]

Eliezer's first post on Overcoming Bias was, as far as I know, The Martial Art of Rationality. I think that title works well to set the tone.

In response to comment by V_V on Bitcoin Cryonics Fund
Comment author: Slackson 10 April 2013 10:57:01AM 5 points [-]

Not the right term for what's happening. Deflationary spiral refers to low demand reducing prices, which reduces production, which reduces the employment rate/average wage, which reduces demand. The bitcoin economy is not large enough for this to be the case. Rather, it appears to be a speculative bubble, where people predict the price will go up, so more people buy it, and so the price goes up, etc. Then enough people at once go "this is as far as the train's going" and everybody panics and tries to sell and the price crashes.

Since bitcoin is a currency experiencing deflation due to a cyclic process, "deflationary spiral" would sort of make sense if it didn't already refer to another specific phenomenon.

Comment author: Slackson 30 March 2013 11:47:26AM *  0 points [-]

This sounds reasonable. I'm guessing bodybuilding programs are more controversial than Starting Strength. Or is there a clear winner there too?

Thanks for the informative comment.

Comment author: Slackson 27 March 2013 07:53:14PM 4 points [-]

Is SS for looking good, or for practical strength? I know they correlate, but optimizing for one doesn't necessarily mean optimizing for the other.

Comment author: Slackson 21 February 2013 11:50:38AM 1 point [-]

Do you recommend any resources on creating and using mnemonic devices? It's something I've always struggled with.

Comment author: Slackson 27 November 2012 09:20:51PM 2 points [-]

Nothing leaps to mind, other than the obvious SIAI and FHI.

Comment author: Slackson 23 November 2012 09:13:44PM 8 points [-]

Opportunity costs. We'd prefer it was spent on a Mars colony than on most things, but if we're spending money on x-risk reduction, it might not be the most cost-effective way to help.

Comment author: Slackson 14 November 2012 03:29:49AM 0 points [-]

It means it has 0 replies. The way the comments work is that the one above is the "parent" and the one's below are "children". Sometimes you see people using terminology such as "grand-parent" and "great grand-parent" to refer to posts further above.

Comment author: Slackson 07 November 2012 10:21:46AM *  5 points [-]

This is awesome. Thanks for doing all that work.

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