Author Archives: E
Instrumental experiment: Quit while you are ahead
Epistemic status: Shower thoughts, but also – Actually trying things. There are times in life where you will have climbed a mountain. You have been facing a storm and it’s finally clearing. The world just cut you a break and … Continue reading
Instrumental Experiment: The Double Down
Epistemic status: Shower thoughts, but also – Actually trying things. There are times in life where you will have made a breakthrough. You will have had a success and you will think, “great, time for a holiday”, I should quit … Continue reading
Problems as dragons and papercuts
When I started trying to become the kind of person that can give advice, I went looking for dragons. I figured if I didn’t know the answers that meant the answers were hard, they were big monsters with hidden weak … Continue reading
Cutting edge technology
When the microscope was invented, in a very short period of time we discovered the cell and the concept of microbiology. That one invention allowed us to open up entire fields of biology and medicine. Suddenly we could see the … Continue reading
Halloween costume: Paperclipperer
Guidelines for becoming a paperclipperer for halloween. Supplies Paperclips (some as a prop, make your life easier by buying some, but show effort by making your own) pliers (extra pairs for extra effect) metal wire (can get colourful for novelty) … Continue reading
Use concrete language to improve your communication in relationships
She wasn’t respecting me. Or at least, that’s what I was telling myself. And I was pretty upset. What kind of person was too busy to text back a short reply? I know she’s a friendly person because just a … Continue reading
How to consistently have good days, or Reduce the frequency and impact of bad days
The following is an exercise I composed to be run at the Lesswrong Sydney dojos. It took an hour and a half but could probably be done faster with some adaptations that I have included in these instructions. In regards … Continue reading
Fish oil and the self-critical brain loop
Disclaimer: you do you, this is a single (several times repeated) anecdata report. Fish oil is cheap so you can run this experiment at home. Do you recognise this brain pattern: Remember that thing you did years ago that was … Continue reading
Paranoia testing
Because I live on the internet I sometimes meet some interesting characters. On this particular occasion I found myself in a conversation with someone who suggested, “I don’t know if I’m paranoid or not”. The full story had some drug … Continue reading
Emotional labour
A brief breakdown: event: I broke your vase. event: I bought you a gift but then left it at home event: I want to go to a (privately valuable event) on our (relationship important day) Options: I wanted to save … Continue reading
