Concepts
The irreducible epistemic atoms underlying the curriculum. 4,828 atoms across 8 types
Separate reasoning from credentials
When someone shares expertise or makes a recommendation, separate your evaluation of their reasoning from your evaluation of their credentials by asking 'Would I find this compelling if it came from a low-status source?'
The accountability check
Before adopting anyone else's recommendation, apply the accountability check: 'Am I willing to own this decision as though it were entirely my own?'—if you would deflect blame to the source upon failure, you have not processed the input as influence.
Three filters for AI contradictions
After encountering AI recommendations that contradict your careful analysis, apply three filters in sequence: Does this present unconsidered evidence? Does this identify verifiable reasoning errors? Does it merely state a different conclusion without showing work? Only the first two warrant revision.
Articulate your values before asking AI for values-related…
Before using AI for values-related decisions, articulate your values and hierarchy explicitly—then use AI to generate arguments from your stated values' perspective rather than accepting AI recommendations as substitute values.
Substitution test
Apply the substitution test to significant decisions by asking: 'If my reference group did the opposite, would I still make this choice?' to detect conformity operating below conscious awareness.