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>the social sciences (Econ, Psych, etc.) have established that what people say (expressed preferences) and how they act (implied preferences) are inconsistent.

>the social sciences (Econ, Psych, etc.) have established that what people say (expressed preferences) and how they act (implied preferences) are inconsistent. This is obvious enough. But if I tell you I would like to lose weight and improve my diet, yet you, knowing I have a sweet-tooth, opt to keep offering tempting sweets and desserts anyway, that would make you kind of a jerk wouldn't it? I wouldn't want to spend much time around someone who actively tries to undermine my attempts at personal growth or improvement.

bo1024 9y ago
That's a nice example.
AndrewKemendo 9y ago
knowing I have a sweet-tooth, opt to keep offering tempting sweets and desserts anyway No, it means you aren't actually doing what you say you want to do. If you however gave the system input about wanting to lose weight, say by buying weight loss supplements, exercise clothes etc... then the "system" will adjust to give you what you want. Your example is basically akin to a scenario where you frequently order dessert at your favorite restaurant, then decide you want to lose weight, never tell anyone you want to lose weight, then get upset when the server brings you the dessert menu.
- majormajor 9y ago
  > Your example is basically akin to a scenario where you frequently order dessert at your favorite restaurant, then decide you want to lose weight, never tell anyone you want to lose weight, then get upset when the server brings you the dessert menu. Except for the part where he said "if I tell you I would like to lose weight and improve my diet"? So not like the "never tell anyone" part at all? What he's describing is more like a system which learns "most people who research and buy diet stuff end up failing and going back to the ice cream and junk food, so let's start aggressively targeting them with unhealthy crap once they start looking up diets." That may be accurate regarding behavior and revenue maximization, but it's also pretty shitty.
tomc1985 9y ago
Then why are you on the internet?

bo1024 9y ago

That's a nice example.

AndrewKemendo 9y ago

knowing I have a sweet-tooth, opt to keep offering tempting sweets and desserts anyway No, it means you aren't actually doing what you say you want to do. If you however gave the system input about wanting to lose weight, say by buying weight loss supplements, exercise clothes etc... then the "system" will adjust to give you what you want. Your example is basically akin to a scenario where you frequently order dessert at your favorite restaurant, then decide you want to lose weight, never tell anyone you want to lose weight, then get upset when the server brings you the dessert menu.

majormajor 9y ago
> Your example is basically akin to a scenario where you frequently order dessert at your favorite restaurant, then decide you want to lose weight, never tell anyone you want to lose weight, then get upset when the server brings you the dessert menu. Except for the part where he said "if I tell you I would like to lose weight and improve my diet"? So not like the "never tell anyone" part at all? What he's describing is more like a system which learns "most people who research and buy diet stuff end up failing and going back to the ice cream and junk food, so let's start aggressively targeting them with unhealthy crap once they start looking up diets." That may be accurate regarding behavior and revenue maximization, but it's also pretty shitty.

tomc1985 9y ago

Then why are you on the internet?