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All of Dirk's Comments + Replies

Rationality Quotes September 2013
Dirk
110

However, strong emotions can cause us to think in feelings rather than in abstract concepts. Usually some emotional distance is required for rational debate.

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A Taxonomy of Bias: Mindware Problems
Dirk
00

Is this a problem with our language or our culture? Has a culture / language ever been studied that didn't suffer from this as badly?

Good question. It seems to me, that it is mostly a problem of logistics. When talking about ourselves and objects near us, it is simply easier to reduce those objects to single words. such as 'me'.

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Failed Utopia #4-2
Dirk
-10

Could you explain what you mean by 'catgirls'?

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How to Be Happy
Dirk
10

I wonder, do any of you ever feel like you're not allowed to be happy, as long as there is so much we still need to solve in this world?

For example, a thought that could spring up: I am sitting here reading blogs/playing videogames and procrastinating my schoolwork. While at the same time we have a global warming problem, poverty in poor countries, and plastic polluting our oceans. Should I dedicate my time to educating people about recycling/ or maybe even becoming a scientist to invent better solar panels? Or should I stick with my plans and dreams that... (read more)

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4Blueberry
They're definitely appropriate responses. First, let's distinguish two different things: 1. Being happy 2. Engaging in desired leisure activities Since it's very difficult for, say, depressed people to fix the world's problems, I think being happy is actually a step towards solving them, if it gives you the energy and motivation you need. I see happiness as an instrumental goal, not a terminal one. In fact, I suspect you'd be happier when you stop procrastinating and do something that works towards what you really care about. As far as the second point, I know Eliezer has thought about this question, and has said before that if his help wasn't urgently needed to save the world, he would do other things, like be a science-fiction writer. Depends on how much of a duty you feel you owe the world. For instance, suppose you walk past a kid drowning, and you could save the kid with a few minutes of effort. Do you have a duty to save the kid, or is it just a good thing to do, but not required? I think it's worth noting that not sleeping well and feeling bad doesn't help towards either saving the world or reaching your own goals.