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= About Less Wrong =

Thinking and deciding are central to our daily lives. The Less Wrong community aims to gain expertise in ''how'' humans think and decide, so that we can do so more successfully. We use the latest insights from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_science cognitive science], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_psychology social psychology], [http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Bayesian_probability probability theory], and [http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Decision_theory decision theory] to improve our understanding of ''how the world works'' and ''what we can do to achieve our goals''.

Want to know if your doctor's diagnosis is correct? It helps to understand [http://yudkowsky.net/rational/bayes Bayes' Theorem]. Want to make a plan for achieving your goals? It helps to know the ways in which [http://lesswrong.com/lw/5sk/inferring_our_desires/ we don't know our own desires]. Want to make the world a better place? It helps to know about the cognitive bias called '[http://lesswrong.com/lw/hw/scope_insensitivity/ scope insensitivity]', and that [http://lesswrong.com/lw/3gj/efficient_charity_do_unto_others/ some charities are more efficient than others].

We [http://lesswrong.com/lw/5x8/teachable_rationality_skills/ discuss] and [http://lesswrong.com/lw/4wm/rationality_boot_camp/ practice] these skills on the [http://lesswrong.com/ main blog], in the [http://lesswrong.com/r/discussion/ discussion area], and in [http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Less_Wrong_meetup_groups regular meetups] around the world.

==== Where to start ====

If you want a sampling of the content on the main blog, you could read some posts on [http://lesswrong.com/lw/i3/making_beliefs_pay_rent_in_anticipated_experiences/ beliefs], [http://lesswrong.com/lw/od/37_ways_that_words_can_be_wrong/ words], [http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Bias cognitive] [http://lesswrong.com/lw/he/knowing_about_biases_can_hurt_people/ biases], [http://lesswrong.com/lw/jl/what_is_evidence/ evidence], [http://lesswrong.com/lw/oj/probability_is_in_the_mind/ probability], [http://lesswrong.com/lw/l4/terminal_values_and_instrumental_values/ decision theory], [http://lesswrong.com/lw/24o/eight_short_studies_on_excuses/ excuses], [http://lesswrong.com/lw/5a9/learned_blankness/ task avoidance], [http://lesswrong.com/lw/on/reductionism/ reductionism], [http://lesswrong.com/lw/l0/adaptationexecuters_not_fitnessmaximizers/ evolution], [http://lesswrong.com/lw/r5/the_quantum_physics_sequence/ quantum physics], [http://lesswrong.com/lw/5u2/pluralistic_moral_reductionism/ ethics], [http://lesswrong.com/lw/gw/politics_is_the_mindkiller/ politics], [http://lesswrong.com/lw/2as/diseased_thinking_dissolving_questions_about/ disease], and [http://lesswrong.com/lw/3w3/how_to_beat_procrastination/ procrastination].

To read Less Wrong systematically, read the [http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Sequences Sequences], especially the [http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Sequences#Core_Sequences Core Sequences]. They are somewhat long, but [http://lesswrong.com/lw/33j/yes_a_blog/ highly recommended].

Less Wrong makes heavy use of previously introduced topics for leverage, so you may need to consult the [http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Category:Concepts Concepts] and [http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Jargon Jargon] pages on the [http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/LessWrong_Wiki Less Wrong Wiki]. Also see the [http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/FAQ Less Wrong FAQ].

==== How to participate ====

Introduce yourself to the community [http://lesswrong.com/lw/90l/welcome_to_less_wrong_2012/ here].

Start by posting comments and [http://lesswrong.com/r/discussion/ discussion posts]. To publish a discussion post, click 'Create New Article' and select 'Less Wrong Discussion' next to 'Post to' at the bottom of the page. As with Reddit or Digg, users can vote comments and posts up or down, and this adds or subtracts 1 point to a user's karma score. Generally, if your comment or post is on-topic and thoughtful, it will be upvoted. You need 2 karma points to publish discussion posts. Comments downvoted below -3 will be hidden for most users; you can change this setting under 'Preferences'.

Once you have 20 or more karma points, you're allowed to make posts to the [http://lesswrong.com/new/ main community blog]. (Click 'Create New Article' and change 'Post to' to 'Less Wrong'.) This section is intended for posts about rationality theory or practice that display well-edited writing, careful argument, and new material. Read the posts linked under 'Where to Start' (above) to get an idea for what types of posts are appropriate for the main community blog. Upvotes and downvotes in this section are worth 10 points. If your post is of especially high quality and popularity, it may be promoted by an editor to the [http://lesswrong.com/ front page]. (Note that we have a gentleman's agreement to [http://lesswrong.com/lw/gw/politics_is_the_mindkiller/ avoid political discussions].)

To meet other rationality enthusiasts in meat-space, look for a Less Wrong [http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Less_Wrong_meetup_groups meetup group] in your area, or [http://lesswrong.com/lw/43s/starting_a_lw_meetup_is_easy start your own]<nowiki>!</nowiki>

As you become familiar with the site, you may also want to contribute by expanding and editing the [http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/LessWrong_Wiki Less Wrong Wiki].

==== Virtues of rationality ====

Some important aspects of rationality are described in the [http://yudkowsky.net/rational/virtues Twelve Virtues of Rationality]:

* '''[http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Curiosity Curiosity]'''<nowiki>: a burning itch to know. See </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/jz/the_meditation_on_curiosity/ The Meditation on Curiosity]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/go/why_truth_and/ Why truth?]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/4ku/use_curiosity/ Use Curiosity].
* '''Relinquishment'''<nowiki>: that which can be destroyed by the truth should be. See </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/i9/the_importance_of_saying_oops/ The Importance of Saying 'Oops']<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/k5/cached_thoughts/ Cached Thoughts]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/gx/just_lose_hope_already/ Just Lose Hope Already]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/ur/crisis_of_faith/ Crisis of Faith].
* '''Lightness'''<nowiki>: let the winds of evidence blow you about, with no direction of your own. See </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/ij/update_yourself_incrementally/ Update Yourself Incrementally]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/in/scientific_evidence_legal_evidence_rational/ Scientific Evidence, Legal Evidence, Rational Evidence].
* '''Evenness'''<nowiki>: do not seek to argue for one side or another, for if you knew your destination, you would already be there. See </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/ik/one_argument_against_an_army/ One Argument Against an Army]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/jn/how_much_evidence_does_it_take/ How Much Evidence Does It Take?]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/jw/a_rational_argument/ A Rational Argument]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/jy/avoiding_your_beliefs_real_weak_points/ Avoiding Your Belief's Real Weak Points].
* '''Argument'''<nowiki>: seek a test that lets reality judge between you. See </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/lx/argument_screens_off_authority/ Argument Screens Off Authority]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://yudkowsky.net/rational/bayes An Intuitive Explanation of Bayes' Theorem].
* '''Empiricism'''<nowiki>: the roots of knowledge are in observation, and its fruit is prediction. See </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/i3/making_beliefs_pay_rent_in_anticipated_experiences/ Making Beliefs Pay Rent]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/iu/mysterious_answers_to_mysterious_questions/ Mysterious Answers to Mysterious Questions]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/jl/what_is_evidence/ What is Evidence?]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/jm/the_lens_that_sees_its_flaws/ The Lens That Sees Its Flaws]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/k2/a_priori/ A Priori]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/s0/where_recursive_justification_hits_bottom/ Where Recursive Justification Hits Bottom].
* '''Simplicity'''<nowiki>: the more steps in your argument, the more likely it is to contain a flaw. See </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/jp/occams_razor/ Occam's Razor]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/ji/conjunction_fallacy/ Conjunction Fallacy].
* '''[http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Humility Humility]'''<nowiki>: anticipate your own errors, for you are human. See </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/gq/the_proper_use_of_humility/ The Proper Use of Humility]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/he/knowing_about_biases_can_hurt_people/ Knowing About Biases Can Hurt People]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/o4/leave_a_line_of_retreat/ Leave a Line of Retreat].
* '''Perfectionism'''<nowiki>: hold yourself to the highest standard you can imagine. See </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/h8/tsuyoku_naritai_i_want_to_become_stronger/ Tsuyoku Naritai]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/ua/the_level_above_mine/ The Level Above Mine]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/up/shut_up_and_do_the_impossible/ Shut Up and Do the Impossible].
* '''Precision'''<nowiki>: quantify and use probability theory. See </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/ic/the_virtue_of_narrowness/ The Virtue of Narrowness], [http://lesswrong.com/lw/mm/the_fallacy_of_gray/ The Fallacy of Gray]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/l7/the_simple_math_of_everything/ The Simple Math of Everything]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://yudkowsky.net/rational/technical A Technical Explanation of Technical Explanation]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/oj/probability_is_in_the_mind/ Probability is in the Mind]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://yudkowsky.net/rational/bayes An Intuitive Explanation of Bayes' Theorem].
* '''[http://wiki.lesswrong.com/wiki/Scholarship Scholarship]'''<nowiki>: study many sciences and absorb their power as your own. See </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/3m3/the_neglected_virtue_of_scholarship/ The Neglected Virtue of Scholarship]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/5me/scholarship_how_to_do_it_efficiently/ Scholarship: How to Do It Efficiently].
* '''The nameless virtue'''<nowiki>: perhaps you describe incorrectly the nameless virtue. How will you discover your mistake? Not by comparing your description to itself, but by comparing it to that which you did not name. See </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/le/lost_purposes/ Lost Purposes]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/nb/something_to_protect/ Something to Protect]<nowiki>; </nowiki>[http://lesswrong.com/lw/m7/zen_and_the_art_of_rationality/ Zen and the Art of Rationality].

There are also some principles of using words in discussion that are generally accepted as useful by this community. For example: don't [http://lesswrong.com/lw/ny/sneaking_in_connotations/ sneak in connotations] or [http://lesswrong.com/lw/np/disputing_definitions/ endlessly debate definitions]. See [http://lesswrong.com/lw/od/37_ways_that_words_can_be_wrong/ 37 Ways Words Can Be Wrong].

==== About Less Wrong ====

In November 2006, Eliezer Yudkowsky [http://lesswrong.com/lw/gn/the_martial_art_of_rationality/ began] posting about rationality on Robin Hanson's blog [http://www.overcomingbias.com/ Overcoming Bias]. In [http://lesswrong.com/lw/1/about_less_wrong/ February 2009], Yudkowsky's posts were used as the seed material for a new community website, Less Wrong. Overcoming Bias remains Less Wrong's "sister site."

Less Wrong is associated with the [http://www.fhi.ox.ac.uk/ Future of Humanity Institute] at Oxford University and the [http://intelligence.org/ Singularity Institute], where Yudkowsky is a senior researcher. The site is hosted and maintained by [http://trikeapps.com/ Trike Apps].

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