Every mystery ever solved had been a puzzle from the dawn of the human species right up until someone solved it.
Eliezer YudkowskyA burning itch to know is higher than a solemn vow to pursue truth. To feel the burning itch of curiosity requires both that you be ignorant, and that you desire to relinquish your ignorance.
Eliezer YudkowskyAnd someday when the descendants of humanity have spread from star to star, they wonโt tell the children about the history of Ancient Earth until theyโre old enough to bear it; and when they learn theyโll weep to hear that such a thing as Death had ever once existed!
Eliezer YudkowskyBetween hindsight bias, fake causality, positive bias, anchoring/priming, et cetera et cetera, and above all the dreaded confirmation bias, once an idea gets into your head, it's probably going to stay there.
Eliezer YudkowskyBoys," said Hermione Granger, "should not be allowed to love girls without asking them first! This is true in a number of ways and especially when it comes to gluing people to the ceiling!
Eliezer Yudkowsky- With respect, Professor McGonagall, I'm not quite sure you understand what I'm trying to do here. - With respect, Mr. Potter, I'm quite sure I don't. Unless - this is a guess, mind - you're trying to take over the world? - No! I mean yes - well, NO! - I think i should perhaps be alarmed that you have trouble answering the question.
Eliezer Yudkowsky