Ideas for rationality slogans?
post by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-09-19T23:32:03.725Z · LW · GW · Legacy · 55 commentsAs part of my broader project of promoting rationality widely, I'm going to work on making rationality-themed merchandise with slogans. I'd appreciate any ideas on what slogans would be short (5 words or less), engaging, and accessible, and appealing for both aspiring rationalists and smart youth and young adults who are just starting to learn about rationality. As an example, slogans like "Growing Mentally Stronger" or "Updating My Beliefs" are good, but "Tsuyoku Naritai!" is not, however much I personally like that slogan.
55 comments
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comment by moridinamael · 2015-09-24T16:05:27.988Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
"Epistemic Status: Dubious"
"Can provide citations"
"Let's look it up first"
Replies from: Gleb_Tsipursky, Gleb_Tsipursky↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-09-24T16:18:43.120Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Nice, thanks, and the citations one gave me an additional idea: "Please give three examples"
↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-11-05T06:21:30.600Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
The first set of rationality-themed merchandise is ready! Thanks for your suggestions :-)
comment by Lavender (Kevin92) · 2015-09-20T17:23:04.958Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Reversed Stupidity Is Not Intelligence.
Slightly more than 5 words:
The facts don't know whose side their on.
Every cause wants to be a cult.
Replies from: Bobertron, Gleb_Tsipursky, Gleb_Tsipursky↑ comment by Bobertron · 2015-09-20T19:09:03.651Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
I really like "The facts don't know whose side they're on", though the other two might require less wrong knowledge.
Replies from: Gleb_Tsipursky, Gleb_Tsipursky↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-11-05T06:21:48.581Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
The first set of rationality-themed merchandise is ready! Thanks for your suggestions :-)
↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-09-20T21:22:57.930Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
I like that too, but it's a bit long - is there a way to shorten the idea to get it across effectively?
Replies from: None↑ comment by [deleted] · 2015-09-21T05:31:48.050Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Fact's don't take sides? Not as clear, but almost.
Replies from: Gleb_Tsipursky, Gleb_Tsipursky↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-09-21T14:57:08.070Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Maybe "Truth Doesn't Take Sides" - that's more clear, I think.
Replies from: Tem42↑ comment by Tem42 · 2015-09-25T00:39:19.647Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
I think I like "The truth doesn't know whose side it's on", despite the length. However, if we want brevity, "Truth is not partisan" might work. If that's too political-sounding, there's always "Truth Don't care. Truth don't Give a Shit." (Front and back?)
Replies from: Gleb_Tsipursky, Gleb_Tsipursky↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-11-05T06:22:05.243Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
The first set of rationality-themed merchandise is ready! Thanks for your suggestions :-)
↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-09-29T21:12:41.933Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Thanks!
↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-11-05T06:21:55.805Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
The first set of rationality-themed merchandise is ready! Thanks for your suggestions :-)
↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-11-05T06:21:39.684Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
The first set of rationality-themed merchandise is ready! Thanks for your suggestions :-)
↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-09-20T21:23:19.876Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
I like "The facts don't know whose side their on," but it's a bit long - is there a way to shorten the idea to get it across effectively?
Replies from: Elo↑ comment by Elo · 2015-09-20T21:50:43.330Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
I feel like in a different language there might be words for those things, being (truth|facts|reality ++ Sides|Bias|preference)
The territory|map|truth|reality doesn't take sides...
Replies from: Gleb_Tsipursky, Gleb_Tsipursky↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-09-20T23:04:27.394Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Maybe "Reality doesn't take sides"?
Replies from: Elo↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-11-05T06:22:12.653Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
The first set of rationality-themed merchandise is ready! Thanks for your suggestions :-)
comment by Bobertron · 2015-09-20T19:43:01.834Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
change your mind, get a cookie
admitting you're wrong = winning/learning
conservation of expected evidence (add formula)
The path to truth is a random walk
discussions are random walks
what is true is already so
rationality: outcomes > rituals of thought
what can be destroyed by truth, should be
update beliefs incrementally
beliefs should pay rent
the cat 's alive, curiosity got framed
optimize everything
delta knowledge = surprise
minimize future surprise
A diagram like this with some actual data e.g. about P(autism|vaccine) or P(violence|video games).
A matrix representation of the prisoners dilemma with an arrow pointing to (cooperate, cooperate) saying "let's meet here".
Replies from: Gleb_Tsipursky↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-09-20T21:26:09.072Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Thank you, these are some great ideas. For the broad audience, I think "What Is True Is Already So" and something about yay for changing your mind would work especially well.
comment by DanArmak · 2015-09-20T12:29:16.963Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Restricting to 5 words, and with some in-jokes:
Slightly Less Wrong Every Day
Tooth Paste Is Not Rational
Thank You For Being Right
Your Map Is My Territory
This Shirt Was Rationally Chosen
Replies from: NancyLebovitz, Gleb_Tsipursky, Gleb_Tsipursky, Gunnar_Zarncke, Gleb_Tsipursky↑ comment by NancyLebovitz · 2015-09-21T13:12:16.127Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
I think the five word limit is a little severe, so
Thank You for Being Less Wrong than I Was
Replies from: Gleb_Tsipursky↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-11-05T06:22:27.675Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
The first set of rationality-themed merchandise is ready! Thanks for your suggestions :-)
↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-09-21T00:42:36.929Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
What sounds better: "Slightly Less Wrong Every Day" or "Striving To Be Less Wrong"?
Replies from: Tem42, Gust↑ comment by Tem42 · 2015-09-25T00:40:29.164Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
I like "Less Wrong Every Day".
Replies from: Gleb_Tsipursky↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-09-29T21:32:05.450Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
I like that variation
↑ comment by Gust · 2015-09-21T19:22:31.129Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Second one!
Replies from: Gleb_Tsipursky↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-11-05T06:22:34.875Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
The first set of rationality-themed merchandise is ready! Thanks for your suggestions :-)
↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-09-20T16:19:59.097Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Thanks, I especially like the last one, very cute.
↑ comment by Gunnar_Zarncke · 2015-11-07T17:14:12.452Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
My map corresponds to the territory.
Replies from: Lumifer↑ comment by Lumifer · 2015-11-07T17:29:16.111Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
My map corresponds to the territory.
The more certain you are of this, the deeper into the MoreWrong territory you are :-/
Replies from: Gunnar_Zarncke↑ comment by Gunnar_Zarncke · 2015-11-07T21:21:02.007Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Hm yes, I agree that the subtle humor might be lost too easily.
↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-11-05T06:22:21.854Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
The first set of rationality-themed merchandise is ready! Thanks for your suggestions :-)
comment by NancyLebovitz · 2015-09-20T02:14:49.896Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
The map is not the territory.
How much do you actually know?
Replies from: Gleb_Tsipursky↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-09-20T16:20:08.941Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Thanks!
comment by Tem42 · 2015-10-03T03:26:36.435Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
404, territory not found.
Actively seeking feedback.
Better hypothesis under development.
Evidence Based Living.
Logic is the best aphrodisiac.
Cognito, ergo cresco.
Mental hygienist.
This T-Shirt is signaling Rationality.
Replies from: Gleb_Tsipursky↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-10-03T18:37:07.704Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Nice, thanks! I especially like "Actively seeking feedback" and the last one about signaling
comment by ChristianKl · 2015-09-20T12:11:42.298Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
One of the key cultural values seems to be to be happy to be shown wrong and willing to change one's mind when presented with good information. Having clothing that signals that value would be nice.
From my perspective good merchandise would likely display institutational loyality. In your case the Intentional Insight logo looks well suited for that purpose.
Replies from: Gleb_Tsipursky, Gleb_Tsipursky↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-09-20T16:19:09.690Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Yup, we'll have a logo and website.
Good points about the cultural values: "Happy to Change My Mind" maybe a good slogan for this one?
Replies from: Gunnar_Zarncke, ChristianKl↑ comment by Gunnar_Zarncke · 2015-11-07T17:24:20.992Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
How about "Evidence can change my mind"
Replies from: Gleb_Tsipursky↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-11-08T16:49:10.169Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Thanks, will add!
↑ comment by ChristianKl · 2015-09-20T18:30:40.344Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
"Happy to Change My Mind"
Sounds good.
↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-11-05T06:22:41.536Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
The first set of rationality-themed merchandise is ready! Thanks for your suggestions :-)
comment by [deleted] · 2015-09-26T21:37:02.259Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Always make new mistakes.
Replies from: Gleb_Tsipursky, Gleb_Tsipursky↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-09-29T02:38:47.367Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Thanks!
↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-11-05T06:22:54.277Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
The first set of rationality-themed merchandise is ready! Thanks for your suggestions :-)
comment by [deleted] · 2015-09-23T19:19:49.625Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Unbiased, you can be kind.
Replies from: Gleb_Tsipursky, Gleb_Tsipursky↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-11-05T06:22:59.335Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
The first set of rationality-themed merchandise is ready! Thanks for your suggestions :-)
↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-09-23T20:56:14.292Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Thanks!
comment by James_Miller · 2015-09-20T00:36:05.993Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Rationality: accurate beliefs + winning decisions!
Replies from: Gleb_Tsipursky, Gleb_Tsipursky↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-11-05T06:22:48.032Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
The first set of rationality-themed merchandise is ready! Thanks for your suggestions :-)
↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-09-20T16:20:46.674Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
I like the "winning decisions" phrase especially, I was looking for some way of combining the concept of wise decisions and reaching your goals, and winning decisions seems to hit the spot!
Replies from: James_Miller↑ comment by James_Miller · 2015-09-21T02:29:27.320Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
It's from RATIONALITY: From AI to Zombies which defines rationality as "forming true beliefs and making winning decisions."
Replies from: Gleb_Tsipursky↑ comment by Gleb_Tsipursky · 2015-09-21T04:07:49.267Z · LW(p) · GW(p)
Thanks for sourcing this for me :-)