A few cells in a Petri-dish

[MPat]

You being there and me being here is not a technique to determine self deception. To avoid deception you need to question your own views. To argue against them. You meed to take the opposite view. To actually listen to the views of others who think differently with an open mind.

It’s not easy.

That is still not a technique, although it is closer.

One can easily deceive oneself into thinking one is “actually listening with an open mind”.

For example, one can be reading inattentively.

So, to get you closer, do you know any techniques to force oneself to read attentively?

 

[Freddy]

Freddy:

You being there and me being here is not a technique to determine self deception. To avoid deception you need to question your own views. To argue against them. You meed to take the opposite view. To actually listen to the views of others who think differently with an open mind.

It’s not easy.

That is still not a technique, although it is closer.

One can easily deceive oneself into thinking one is “actually listening with an open mind”.

For example, one can be reading inattentively.

So, to get you closer, do you know any techniques to force oneself to read attentively?

I find a glass or two of a good single malt focusses the mind.

 

[Tenzin]

Mind if I add some tea?

 

[MPat]

I find a glass or two of a good single malt focusses the mind.

Well, that is sufficiently specific to count as a technique.

So, next, what makes you think it actually works as “advertised”?

Do you know what mechanism is supposed to make it work? Or do you have some evidence to demonstrate that it works?

Or is it based on subjective feeling alone?

 

[Freddy]

Freddy:

I find a glass or two of a good single malt focusses the mind.

Well, that is sufficiently specific to count as a technique.

So, next, what makes you think it actually works as “advertised”?

Do you know what mechanism is supposed to make it work? Or do you have some evidence to demonstrate that it works?

Or is it based on subjective feeling alone?

When something make sense it fits into the larger picture like a piece of a puzzle.

 

[MPat]

When something make sense it fits into the larger picture like a piece of a puzzle.

So, how exactly does “a glass or two of a good single malt focusses the mind” fit into that larger picture “like a piece of a puzzle”?

 

[Freddy]

Freddy:

When something make sense it fits into the larger picture like a piece of a puzzle.

So, how exactly does “a glass or two of a good single malt focusses the mind” fit into that larger picture “like a piece of a puzzle”?

A glass or two relaxes me and allows me to concentrate.

 

[MPat]

A glass or two relaxes me and allows me to concentrate.

So, “a glass or two of a good single malt” helps to think and understand in the same way in which it (or half a liter of vodka) would help one to sing or to drive.

That is, it makes one do things worse, while removing inhibitions and making one overestimate one’s abilities.

And your estimate of technique’s effectiveness is based on self-assessment, which is likely to be impaired (and is not that reliable even unimpaied).

So, we have found a counterproductive technique worthy of “cargo cult science” Feynman was talking about…

I have to admit I did not expect such an obvious result…

 

[Freddy]

Freddy:

A glass or two relaxes me and allows me to concentrate.

So, “a glass or two of a good single malt” helps to think and understand in the same way in which it (or half a liter of vodka) would help one to sing or to drive.

Apparently you don’t drink.

 

[mary77]

step back further and consider the life force.