Locally Optimal

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Addictions are anesthesia
Many people I respect misunderstand addictions: they believe they’re addicted “to” scrolling, vaping, overworking, etc.—instead of recognizing…
 • Chris Lakin
Fits & Misses: What I learned in the first 2 years of research
Updated 2026 Sep 26
 • Chris Lakin
everyone I've watched drop their addictions did not try
doomscrolling, vaping, porn, overworking, dating — they were surprised when their addictions stopped happening.
 • Chris Lakin
Daniel became more intuitive
Daniel, coauthor of Emergent Misalignment (Nature), was trying to continue his alignment research and enjoy his life, but kept losing weeks and months…
 • Chris Lakin
What’s possible in ~1–2 afternoons? | Unlearning | 18mo follow-ups
What’s possible in ~1–2 afternoons of unlearning with the right people?
 • Chris Lakin
Lab researcher started asking people out, sharing disagreements with colleagues, texting friends “I miss you.”
Update: In a happy relationship now
 • Chris Lakin
11:12
Antoine is no longer incapacitated by corn
11-month follow-up
 • Chris Lakin
4:51
Engineer started taking on harder projects, dancing weekly, doing things he used to avoid
6-month follow-up
 • Chris Lakin
4:59
I became a bounty hunter!
I began a bounty-based unlearning experiment. Payment forbidden until lasting satisfaction with results.
 • Chris Lakin
What’s stopping you from being even more ambitious with your impact on ASI?
New: 2026 Nov 10
 • Chris Lakin
© 2026 Chris Lakin · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
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