(Audio version here, or search for "Joe Carlsmith Audio" on your podcast app.)
> “There comes a moment when the children who have been playing at burglars hush suddenly: was that a real footstep in the hall?”
>
> - C.S. Lewis
“The Human Condition,” by René Magritte (Image source here)
1. Introduction
Sometimes, my thinking feels more “real” to me; and sometimes, it feels more “fake.” I want to do the real version, so I want to understand this spectrum better. This essay offers some reflections.
I give a bunch of examples of this “fake vs. real” spectrum below -- in AI, philosophy, competitive debate, everyday life, and religion. My current sense is that it brings together a cluster of related dimensions, namely:
* Map vs. world: Is my mind directed at an abstraction, or it is trying to see past its model to the world beyond?
* Hollow vs. solid: Am I using concepts/premises/frames that I secretly suspect are bullshit, or do I expect them to point at basically real stuff, even if imperfectly?
* Rote vs. new: Is the thinking pre-computed, or is new processing occurring?
* Soldier vs. scout: Is the thinking trying to defend a pre-chosen position, or is it just trying to get to the truth?
* Dry vs. visceral: Does the content feel abstract and heady, or does it grip me at some more gut level?
These dimensions aren’t the same. But I think they’re correlated – and I offer some speculations about why. In particular, I speculate about their relationship to the “telos” of thinking – that is, to the thing that thinking is “supposed to” do.
I also describe some tags I’m currently using when I remind myself to “really think.” In particular:
* Going slow
* Following curiosity/aliveness
* Staying in touch with why I’m thinking about something
* Tethering my concepts to referents that feel “real” to me
* Reminding myself that “arguments are lenses on the world”
* Tuning into a relaxing sense of “helplessness” about the truth
* Just actually imagining differ
This terrible news. I also did not know Tommy, but my heart really goes out to his friends and family. Reading the statement I was touched by his strength of character - he appears to have been extremely gifted, loving and humble and with a genuine interest in helping others and the world. We can all surely find great inspiration in the exemplary life Tommy led.
This is also a stark reminder that no matter how outwardly successful or happy we might appear, we all carry our share of troubles and negative feelings; doubting ourselves and our worthiness, often trying to hide our sadness and our loneliness out of shame. Though just like Tommy, we're all merely human, we all have flaws and imperfections. We are not alone in our struggles.
For anyone who might be feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope with their negative feelings, or are just interested in more mental health resources, I would like to recommend The Feeling Good Podcast (available with most podcast apps) with David Burns (author of the book Feeling Good, though the podcast is much better). There are episodes available on suicide prevention, loneliness, perfectionism, feelings of worthlessness, COVID-19 and much more. It has drastically improved my own mood and those that I know that have listened to it, and I believe it might help others as well.
My condolences.
:(