# [Linkpost] George Mack's Razors

I don't use Twitter/X, I only saw this because it was on [https://twitter.com/ESYudkowsky](https://twitter.com/ESYudkowsky) which I check every day (an example of a [secure way to mitigate brain exposure to news feed algorithms](https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/6JSjYCzdQmX7G2AQd/the-kids-are-not-okay?commentId=uEvSAgdRC5EoLQXSp)).

The [galaxy-brained word combinations](https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/8gbfvGhSnEJ9hHGew/10-reasons-why-lists-of-10-reasons-might-be-a-winning) here are at the standard of optimization I hold very highly (e.g. using galaxy-brained combinations of words to maximize the ratio of value to wordcount). 

If someone were to, for example, start a human intelligence amplification coordination takeoff by getting the best of both worlds between the long, intuitive [CFAR handbook](https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/dbDHEQyKqnMDDqq2G/cfar-handbook-introduction) and the short, efficient [hammertime sequence](https://www.lesswrong.com/s/qRxTKm7DAftSuTGvj), this is the level of writing skill that they would have to be playing at:

> The most useful razors and rules I've found: 
> 
> **1\. Bragging Razor** \- If someone brags about their success or happiness, assume it’s half what they claim 
> 
> If someone downplays their success or happiness, assume it’s double what they claim 
> 
> **2\. High Agency Razor** \- If unsure who to work with, pick the person that has the best chances of breaking you out of a 3rd world prison. 
> 
> **3\. The Early-Late Razor** \- If it's a talking point on Reddit, you might be early. If it's a talking point on LinkedIn, you're definitely late. 
> 
> **4\. Luck Razor** \- If stuck with 2 equal options, pick the one that feels like it will produce the most luck later down the line. 
> 
> I used this razor to go for drinks with a stranger rather than watch Netflix. In hindsight, it was the highest ROI decision I've ever made.
> 
> ![Image](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F_2PyT3W4AAQtvB?format=png&name=900x900) 
> 
> **5\. Buffett's Law** \- "The value of every business is 100% subject to government interest rates" - Warren Buffett 
> 
> **6\. The 6-Figure Razor** \- If someone brags about "6 figures" -- assume it's closer to $100K than $900K. 
> 
> **7\. Parent Rule** \- Break down the investments your parents made in you: Time, Love, Energy, and Money. 
> 
> If they are still alive, aim to hit a positive ROI (or at least break even.) 
> 
> **8\. Instagram Razor** \- When you see a photo of an influencer looking attractive on Instagram -- assume there are 99 worse variations of that photo you haven't seen. 
> 
> They just picked the best one. 
> 
> **9\. Narcissism Razor** \- If worried about people's opinions, remember they are too busy worrying about other people's opinions of them. 99% of the time you're an extra in someone else's movie 
> 
> **10\. Everyday Razor** \- If you go from doing a task weekly to daily, you achieve 7 years of output in 1 year. If you apply a 1% compound interest each time, you achieve 54 years of output in 1 year. 
> 
> **11\. Bezos Razor** \- If unsure what action to pick, let your 90-year-old self on death bed choose it. 
> 
> **12\. Creativity Razor** \- If struggling to think creatively about a subject, transform it: 
> 
> • Turn a thought into a written idea.   
> • A written idea into a drawing.   
> • A drawing into an equation.   
> • An equation into a conversation. 
> 
> In the process of transforming it, you begin to spot new creative connections. 
> 
> **13\. The Roman Empire Rule** \- Historians now recognize the Roman Empire fell in 476 - but it wasn't acknowledged by Roman society until many generations later. 
> 
> If you wait for the media to inform you, you'll either be wrong or too late. 
> 
> **14\. Physics Razor** \- If it doesn't deny the law of physics, then assume it's possible. Do not confuse society's current lack of knowledge -- with this knowledge being impossible to attain. 
> 
> E.g. The smartphone seems impossible to someone from the 1800s -- but it was possible, they just had a lack of knowledge. 
> 
> **15\. Skinner's Law** \- If procrastinating, you have 2 ways to solve it: 
> 
> • Make the pain of inaction > Pain of action   
> • Make the pleasure of action > Pleasure of inaction 
> 
> **16\. Network Razor** \- If you have 2 quality people that would benefit from an intro to one another, always do it. 
> 
> Networks don't divide as you share them, they multiply. 
> 
> **17\. Gell-Mann Razor** \- Assume every media article contains a % of false information. 
> 
> Sandbox the article from your worldview until you've: 
> 
> • Seen primary sources   
> • Spoken to 3 domain experts 
> 
> **18\. Taleb's Surgeon** \- If presented with two equal candidates for a role, pick the one with the least amount of charisma. 
> 
> The uncharismatic one has got there despite their lack of charisma. The charismatic one has got there with the aid of their charisma.