Tag Archives: Yudkowskyanism

The problem with probabililities without models

Posted on 2015-08-31 by Gilbert

Scott Alexander writes in defense of probabilities without models. I denied the possibility of this before, also in the context of Scott’s steel-manning of Yudkowskyanism, but back then the focus of the discussion was slightly different. So this is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Arguments, Math | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Models as filthy water

Posted on 2013-05-20 by Gilbert

[I was planning on this main metaphor before that other filthy water metaphor shook the Catholic blogosphere. Absolutely no reference intended.] When journalists asked Konrad Adenauer, the first post-war German chancellor, why his foreign office had so many employees who … Continue reading →

Posted in Arguments | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

The disappointing rightness of Scott Alexander

Posted on 2013-05-04 by Gilbert

It turns out that Scott Alexander is even smarter than I thought. This is somewhat disappointing. Perhaps I should slow down on explaining that? The proof of his smartness is of course in agreeing with me. On his blog he … Continue reading →

Posted in Arguments | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Thingspace is a mysterious answer

Posted on 2012-08-24 by Gilbert

[Edit: My interpretation of the thingspace text was probably colored by the context in which I was thinking of it. I still have criticisms of it, but it’s not as useless as I was implying it to be. Read the … Continue reading →

Posted in Arguments | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

Quantum sophistry

Posted on 2011-12-30 by Gilbert

A few days ago, we got to know the members of the St. Hypotheticus drinking and nerdery club. Today we listen in on their inaugural meeting. They have just finished the administrative part and are now about to enter on … Continue reading →

Posted in Socratic dialogues | Tagged , , | 4 Comments