AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
McCarthy's Rule For Constructive Debate
- John McCarthy shut down nitpicking and demanded constructive collaboration during the 1979–80 CASBS AI group year.
- That admonition shaped Dennett's preference for cooperative problem-solving over one-upmanship.
Refutations Need Revision
- If you aim to refute a famous philosopher, draft the refutation and then revise after you find mistakes.
- Use the process to produce a stronger contribution that acknowledges and corrects misunderstandings.
Test Drafts With Undergraduates
- Use undergraduates to test drafts because they quickly spot unclear writing and keep you honest.
- Teach a seminar on a penultimate draft to iterate improvements before finalizing a book.