radu_floricica — LessWrong

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Replying toShould I take an IQ test, why or why not?

radu_floricicaJul 10, 2020

Should I take an IQ test, why or why not?

I live in a country where (to the best of my research) IQ testing for hiring is legal. I wouldn't ever hire somebody on an entry level job without an IQ test again - it's just too useful as a predictive tool. This being said:

I only used it as a primary rough filter to exclude candidates (ie >110 for a challenging marketing job, which is less than an SD)
didn't take one myself. Thought about it, just don't see the benefit
wouldn't dream of doing that for a freelancer, contracter and generally anybody that actually has a trail to look at. It's not only offensive, but useless: no point in trying to measure potential when it's actualised and in front of you

Replying toWhen is evolutionary psychology useful?

radu_floricicaJul 10, 2020

When is evolutionary psychology useful?

Evopshych is not useless, just a tool that's really, really easy to shoot yourself in the foot with. Buyer beware, I guess. It can be done right - for a beautiful example, read or skim Homicide by wilson and daly.

In the context of mating things are complicated by the fact that evopsych itself says that female tastes are very plastic, designed to adapt to whatever is "fit" in each time and society. They're set around puberty, and are much more varied than male tastes. Which I guess is actionable info - there are women that like almost anything, but not much point in trying to conquer every woman. Or even to conquer one particular woman.

Replying toWelcome to Less Wrong! (5th thread, March 2013)

radu_floricica12y

Welcome to Less Wrong! (5th thread, March 2013)

Hello,

I'm a 34 yo programmer/entrepreneur in Romania, with a long time interest in rationality - long before I called it by that name. I think the earliest name I had for it was "wisdom", and a desire to find a consistent, repeatable way to obtain it. Must admit at that time I didn't imagine it was going to be so complicated.

Spent some of my 20s believing I already know everything, and then I made a decision that in retrospect was the best I ever made: never to look at the price when I buy a book, but only at the likelihood of finishing it. Which is something I strongly recommend even (or... (read more)