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Hey! I am from Iraq, Baghdad, 17 and a new member here, I didn't know there are other lesswrongers in Baghdad.
Nice to meet you!
Thank you! I hope I do yes, I am still learning how the forum works :)
And you are welcome as well.
Hello everyone!
I am new here and I thought I should introduce myself, I am currently reading the highlights of the sequences and it has been giving me a sharper worldview and I do feel myself being more rational, I think a lot of people who call themselves rational are motivated by biases and emotions more than they think, but it is good to be aware of that and try to work to be better, so I am doing that.
I am 17 years old from Iraq, I found the forum through Daniel Schmachtenberger, I am not sure how known he is here.
I am from a very Muslim country, I was brainwashed by it growing up like most people, but at 11 I started questioning and reading books as well, which was very hard, since the fear of "hell" is imprinted in someone growing up in this environment, but by 14 I broke free, I had a three months existential crisis as a result where I felt like I don't exist, and was in anxiety 24/7.
At that point I got interested in the new age movement, eastern religions and spirituality, especially Buddhism and certain strands of Hinduism, I wasn't interested in them to take as dogmas or as absolute views, I also got into western philosophy later, especially the Idealism vs. Realism debate, I liked Hegel, Spinoza, and Thomas Kuhn the most, but I can't say I read their books directly, I read books about their books, which are called secondary sources.
I tend to view all worldviews as incomplete lenses, whether that's the religious paradigm, or the scientific paradigm, or the spiritual paradigm, or different schools of philosophy, the true rational person in my opinion has the capability to understand all lenses in depth and switch between them, be aware of self-deception and constantly question ideas.
Of course, one must also come to conclusions, so there needs to be a certain balance.
I am going to study computer engineering or cybersecurity engineering, and I plan to study AI in masters and other studies, I am currently trying to leave this third world country, as life is difficult here and especially being treated as an outcast because I don't believe in religion dogmatically.
Of course, I am open to any of beliefs being challenged, that's why I am here :)
I would also appreciate anyone wanting to share good resources, or maybe advice for me at this age.