Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2003 10:27:55 -0500
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The optimal strategy for the GameOfLife. If every decision is made with the intent to minimize regret then your life will be as close to optimal as possible. That doesn't mean your life will be perfect, or that you won't have any regrets. Many events are outside your control, and you are always having to make decisions based on incomplete and uncertain information.

The reason this strategy tries to minimize regret rather than trying to maximize some positive quantity (what is the opposite of regret? satisfaction?) is because there is vastly more ways that a life can go wrong than go right. It is the nature of entropy.

One problem with this strategy is that you can minimize future regret by killing yourself now. This assumes that once dead you don't feel anything including regret, probably a safe assumption.

Another problem is that regret depends to a large degree on empathy and vision. You can reduce regret by reducing empathy and vision, and by increasing apathy. This is not good.

See other InterestingMemes.

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[JakeSapiens]2003.04.02 I think I have encountered this meme at times.  Perhaps an affinity for the phrase "no regrets".  I have my skepticism about this; how would you describe the "no regrets" meme, David, as I notice it on your "to do" list.  Perhaps we can develop some "virus doctrine" about it.  Love, -Jake
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