if you can master the meta-skill of figuring out what problems in arbitrary domains are computationally tractable, you will have the opportunity, for at least a year two, and maybe longer, to be a kind of meta-genius. you will not know the answer to anything, or even how to find it, but you’ll have refined heuristics for the right questions to ask about everything to make meaningful progress along the margin. this is probably the skill to have optimized for in the last three years, though I readily admit I don’t know how long it will remain a human advantage. it is for now though.
@deanwball (post 2026-08-08)
Brief
The meta-skill of figuring out what problems in arbitrary domains are computationally tractable, @deanwball argues, creates an immediate human advantage: the chance to be a 'meta-genius' for 'at least a year two, and maybe longer' (post 2026-08-08). It produces refined heuristics for which questions to ask to make marginal progress; the author says it was likely the priority to optimize over the last three years but may be temporary.
Why it matters
@deanwball (post 2026-08-08): mastering the meta-skill of identifying which problems in arbitrary domains are computationally tractable gives the opportunity to be a 'meta-genius' for 'at least a year two, and maybe longer.'
Key details
- The skill does not provide answers but produces refined heuristics for the right questions to ask, enabling meaningful progress 'along the margin.'
- Author says this was probably the skill to optimize for in the last three years but admits uncertainty about how long it will remain a human advantage.