# Dice Decision Making

*Epistemic status: I have been using dice on and off in my decision-making processes for a few years and am confident it has been a net positive for me (85%). I believe that experimenting with dice decisions would be beneficial for most people who struggle with decision-making (60%). I have a very limited understanding of IFS and quantum mechanics, so take these connections with a grain of salt. All quotes interleaved are from Luke Rhinehart.*

I often find myself struggling to make decisions. It can be overwhelming to weigh the pros and cons of each option and make a choice that feels right. A while ago, I came across the concept of using dice to make decisions. At first, it sounded crazy, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I read the book "The Dice Man" by Luke Rhinehart, which tells the story of a psychiatrist who uses dice to live his life. He assigns various actions to each number on the die and follows through with whatever the die tells him to do. Although the book is pretty terrible, this crazy form of decision-making made me wonder if leaving some choices up to chance could eliminate the stress and anxiety that comes with decision-making.

For example, this morning I gave the die the following six options:

1.  Improve my draft of A Framework of Possible Minds
2.  Improve my draft of A Framework of Possible Minds
3.  Write a post about Dice Decision Making
4.  Call a friend I haven’t spoken to in a long time
5.  Apply for a job
6.  Think of six new options and throw again

(Note that the first option appears twice. I control both the options and the probabilities.)

I believe dice decision-making relates interestingly to [Multiagent Models of Mind](https://www.lesswrong.com/s/ZbmRyDN8TCpBTZSip) and [Internal Family Systems (IFS).](https://www.lesswrong.com/s/ZbmRyDN8TCpBTZSip/p/5gfqG3Xcopscta3st) These models view the mind as a system of parts, with each part having its own thoughts, emotions, and desires. To promote healing and personal growth, IFS encourages individuals to identify and communicate with their parts. When making decisions, the different options we consider can represent the preferences of different parts of ourselves. Using the dice as a coordination mechanism, we can assign the preferences of different parts to a number on the die and roll it. In this way, we can give the preference of each part a fair chance. This can help us make decisions that align with our true desires and values, allowing us to coordinate our various parts and promote inner harmony. I often feel a lot of energy and excitement when throwing the die, which might indicate that many of my parts agree with the options and proposed decision mechanism.

> “The man who fights himself always  
> carries around a lot of sore losers.”

Also, I often feel that the sole act of thinking of six options can already be helpful. Using two dice, you can give 36 different options some probability. Sometimes, I may feel stuck or overwhelmed when faced with a decision, and simply listing out the different options can help clarify my thoughts and give me a better understanding of what my options are. It helps me to consider options I may not have otherwise thought of. By thinking about how much probability I want to assign to each option, I give myself the chance to explore my preferences further and make a more informed decision. 

> “Indecisive? Uncertain? Worried? Let the rolling ivory tumble your burdens away. $2.50 per pair.“

To take it a step further, we could use [quantum dice](https://qrng.anu.edu.au/dice-throw/). If I understand it correctly, the [many-worlds interpretation](https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/9cgBF6BQ2TRB3Hy4E/and-the-winner-is-many-worlds) of quantum mechanics suggests that if we would use a quantum die for our decisions, each roll of the dice creates multiple universes where each possible outcome is realized. This means that every option we consider when rolling the die is executed in one-sixth of the universes, giving us peace of mind knowing that all possibilities have been explored. In this way, you can basically *git-branch* your life! While the concept of chance is still at play from your universe's point of view, the idea allows me to feel empowered by the fact that every option has been given a chance to play out in a large fraction of the other universes. 

> “In the beginning was Chance.
> 
>         After that? 
> 
>               A series of accidents.”

To conclude, using dice for decision-making is an interesting concept that can help reduce decision-making stress, promote healing and growth by involving different parts of ourselves, and give every part of ourselves an equal chance. It is also an empowering way to explore different possibilities and consider options we might not have thought of before. Furthermore, the multiverse interpretation of quantum mechanics suggests that all options get a chance to play out, offering us peace of mind. Finally, involving some chance in your life is just a lot of fun. So go ahead, and give it a try – you may be surprised at the results.

> “When we are living, we are die-ing“