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Apr 09, 2019
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Short Book Reviews April 2019

21 min • 2,831 words • 102 comments • podcast (19 min)
Scott Alexander reviews three books: a controversial psychotherapy text, an introduction to Lacan's philosophy, and a rationalist-themed fantasy novel. Longer summary
Scott Alexander reviews three books in this post. He starts with 'Method of Levels' by Timothy Carey, a book about psychotherapy based on perceptual control theory. Scott criticizes the book's extreme claims but finds some value in its approach. Next, he reviews 'How To Read Lacan' by Slavoj Zizek, finding it surprisingly readable but not entirely coherent. Lastly, he discusses 'The Steerswoman', a fantasy novel popular in the rationalist community, which he finds fun but not particularly deep. Shorter summary
Mar 20, 2019
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Translating Predictive Coding Into Perceptual Control

10 min • 1,386 words • 103 comments • podcast (11 min)
Scott Alexander argues that Free Energy/Predictive Coding and Perceptual Control Theory are fundamentally the same, and proposes using PCT's more intuitive terminology to help understand FE/PC. Longer summary
Scott Alexander compares two theories of cognition and behavior: Free Energy/Predictive Coding (FE/PC) and Perceptual Control Theory (PCT). He argues that while they've developed differently, their foundations are essentially the same. Scott suggests that understanding PCT, which he finds more intuitive, can help in grasping the more complex FE/PC. He provides a glossary of equivalent terms between the two theories and gives examples to illustrate how PCT's terminology often makes more intuitive sense. The post concludes by discussing why FE/PC is more widely used despite PCT's advantages in explaining certain phenomena, and suggests teaching both terminologies to aid understanding. Shorter summary
Sep 06, 2017
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Predictive Processing And Perceptual Control

7 min • 961 words • 78 comments
Scott Alexander explores the similarities between Predictive Processing and Perceptual Control Theory, arguing that PCT anticipates many aspects of PP and deserves recognition for its insights. Longer summary
Scott Alexander draws parallels between Predictive Processing (PP) and Perceptual Control Theory (PCT), suggesting that PCT anticipates many aspects of PP. He argues that both theories share the concept of cognitive 'layers' acting at various levels, with upper layers influencing lower layers to produce desired stimuli. Scott notes that PP offers a more refined explanation for higher-level cognitive processes compared to PCT's sometimes overly simplistic model. He concludes by comparing Will Powers, the originator of PCT, to ancient Greek atomists like Epicurus, suggesting that Powers' work deserves recognition for its prescient insights, even if it has been superseded by more advanced theories. Shorter summary