Posts

Why would GDP X GDP Per Capita be used as a measurement of power? What's the purpose of squaring GDP? 2022-02-25T02:56:29.820Z
Sick of struggling 2020-06-30T16:47:00.498Z

Comments

Comment by dqups1 on Why would GDP X GDP Per Capita be used as a measurement of power? What's the purpose of squaring GDP? · 2022-02-26T14:52:19.857Z · LW · GW

Thank you! I think the way you explain the justification definitely makes sense. I was thrown off by the seemingly arbitrary choice of squaring GDP per Capita, but when you consider it as just a readily available proxy the choice is clearer given its simplicity of use.

Comment by dqups1 on How ought I spend time? · 2020-06-30T17:55:46.495Z · LW · GW

I'm not a huge fan of books tbh, I find that it takes a lot of effort and wasted efficiency to shift through the noise, of which, books have a lot. I tend to prefer number 2 and then refer to 3 or 1 as is needed to advance 2. The hands on experience helps you retain and learn best in my humble opinion. Finally, I think the most important factor is your drive to do each of these. If I hit a roadblock on 2, I can try and power through in a suboptimal mindstate or take on 1 or 3 with reknewed enthusiasm. Therefore, I would prioritize 2 but use my time in such a way that I'm focused on whatever I'm most interested in at the time and in that sense pursuing the activity in which my valuable time nets the greatest result in any category.

Comment by dqups1 on Reclaiming Eddie Willers · 2020-06-30T17:24:43.183Z · LW · GW

That part that you mentioned really hurt me while I was reading this book. I read somewhere that because he wasn’t exceptional he had no place in the new world aka galt’s gulch. Still, it struck a nerve. Toughest part for me to handle in the book right there

Comment by dqups1 on Timing through the temporal dimension. · 2019-03-28T13:42:28.006Z · LW · GW

That's an interesting take. I would be curious how gravity fits in being the curvature of spacetime. I would also be curious as to why space can be moved about freely, but time is moving only forward and at the same time velocity.

Comment by dqups1 on Combining individual preference utility functions · 2019-03-26T03:01:27.422Z · LW · GW

I just joined LW and this is my first comment. It all feels fairly intimidating as I've only skimmed AI to Zombies, but I like to think of myself as a fairly smart kid, though I may be in over my head here. Anyway, I just think this is a really cool idea. I've thought about this a lot in terms of a general unifying economic model. I tend to be a big picture thinker so I don't have as much to say about the technical stuff. I think in general such a combination of utilities and the consideration of these utilities should rely very heavily on psychological components and I think would be best of combined maybe in a dynamic system. As a start it may be best to think of this in terms of a small society on a deserted island and map out some of the resources, psychological profiles, goals, etc.

Also I took a class on socialism in college when I was thinking about this stuff. I was curious about the Cambridge Capital Controversy and asked my professor if anyone had a definite answer to it. He referred me to a book by economist, Ian Steedman, "Consumption Takes Time: Implications for Economic Theory," which at first glance seems to be possibly relevant and at the very least interesting. I haven't gotten the chance to read it but would still like to.

Anyway, that's just me spitballing. I know I can be a bit hard to follow and all over the place, but my hope is getting involved on a forum like this might help me with that. Very cool topic though!