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Dipole Nature — LessWrong

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[I am delighted to be visiting Inkhaven for the next four days and will attempt to post every day I'm here.] There is a Chinese tradition for using water as a metaphor for human nature. 人往高处走，水往低处流 As water flows downwards, people climb upwards. ~ proverb Here the nature of water is that it inexorably follows the laws of gravity downwards, just as humans follow their incentives. It's worth noting that social climbing has a negative connotation in modern English; it has a positive valence in this proverb. 水滴石穿 Dripping water penetrates the stone. ~ proverb Here the nature of water is to be stubborn, patient and relentless, burrowing through even solid rock over centuries. Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You

x Dipole Nature — LessWrong World Modeling Frontpage 40 Dipole Nature by alkjash 23rd Nov 2025 Linkpost for radimentary.wordpress.com 6 min read 2 40 [I am delighted to be visiting Inkhaven for the next four days and will attempt to post every day I'm here.] There is a Chinese tradition for using water as a metaphor for human nature. 人往高处走，水往低处流 As water flows downwards, people climb upwards. ~ proverb Here the nature of water is that it inexorably follows the laws of gravity downwards, just as humans follow their incentives. It's worth noting that social climbing has a negative connotation in

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