The first in a series of bite-sized rationality prompts[1].

This is my most common opening-move for Instrumental Rationality. There are many, many other pieces of instrumental rationality. But asking this question is usually a helpful way to get started. Often, simply asking myself "what's my goal?" is enough to direct my brain to a noticeably better solution, with no further work.

Examples

Puzzle Games

I'm playing Portal 2, or Baba is You. I'm fiddling around with the level randomly, sometimes going in circles. I notice I've been doing that awhile.

I ask "what's my goal?"

And then my eyes automatically glance at the exit for the level and realize I can't possibly make progress unless I solve a particular obstacle, which none of my fiddling-around was going to help with.

Arguing

I'm arguing with a person, poking holes in their position. I easily notice considerations [...]

---

Outline:

(00:33) Examples

(02:50) Triggers

(03:31) Exercises for the Reader

The original text contained 1 footnote which was omitted from this narration.

---

First published:

Source:

---

Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.