Alyssa's Values
1. Autonomy, Initiative and Impact
I deeply value the ability to take action independently and implement solutions without excessive bureaucracy or permission-seeking. When I see a problem I can fix, I want the freedom to address it directly. This isn't just about personal freedom, but about having the agency to create real change in the world.
While individual autonomy is important, I recognize that working within a competent group that shares my core values can be even more powerful. The ideal is having the space to take initiative within a framework where others are similarly empowered and aligned on meaningful missions.
What distinguishes this from generic "freedom" is my specific focus on being able to build, create, and solve problems through direct action rather than just theoretical freedom or absence of constraints.
2. Technical Competence and System Building
I find deep satisfaction in understanding, creating, and improving complex systems - especially computational ones with concrete applications. I enjoy making things work, optimizing performance, and solving technical challenges like implementing FP8 AI training or building new tools.
I'm particularly drawn to systems with "moving parts" - interconnected components that interact in dynamic ways - rather than purely abstract conceptual work. I majored in math but found advanced mathematics less satisfying because it became too abstract and lacked enough tangible components.
This value extends beyond computers to organizations, communities, and processes. I appreciate being able to see how systems function and make them work better.
3. Exploration and Novel Experiences
I have a strong drive toward discovering new ideas, places, and experiences. This spans intellectual exploration (3 AM archive.org binges), physical exploration (climbing to the top of Berkeley Hills), and social exploration (trying new relationship dynamics).
My list of desired activities reflects this value - from visiting ancient ruins to experiencing bioluminescent kayaking to creating art at Burning Man. I'm drawn to the novel, the unusual, and the boundary-pushing, almost to the point where I'd "ask to be taken back with aliens" if given the chance.
This exploration isn't just about fun but connects to deeper growth - experiencing new things expands my understanding of what's possible and helps me avoid getting stuck in familiar patterns.
4. Authentic Connection
I value deep connections where people can engage intellectually and emotionally without pretense or conformity to alien norms. The ideal relationship involves mutual learning and teaching, where we can share thoughts and experiences honestly.
I particularly value being part of communities where people are genuinely curious, intellectually honest, and open to unusual ideas - places where I don't have to hide core aspects of myself or pretend to value things I don't. The NY Less Wrong community exemplified this, creating space for authentic connection without demanding conformity.
This extends beyond just intellectual connection to include emotional openness and vulnerability. As I wrote in my dating profile: "Romance is the best chance we get to break down those barriers, share thoughts and feelings more closely and honestly than anywhere else, and experience the world together."
5. Aesthetics and Beauty
I value beauty, elegance, and good design across multiple domains - from visual art and cozy living spaces to elegant code and well-designed systems. My appreciation for aesthetics includes both natural beauty (like sunset views from mountain summits) and human-created beauty (art, architecture, fashion).
While I sometimes feel I'm not as skilled at creating beauty as I'd like to be, I deeply appreciate it and want more of it in my life. My Pinterest collections of art, room ideas, and outfits reflect this desire for an "aesthetically pleasing life with lots of gorgeous art."
This isn't superficial - aesthetic considerations reflect deeper principles about harmony, function, and meaning that matter across many domains.
6. Building Things of Value
I value creating tangible outputs that serve a purpose and advance meaningful missions. Whether it's a company, a technical system, or a community, I want to work on projects where I can point to something concrete and say "I helped build that, and it matters."
The importance of a clear mission comes through in my preference for employers with a purpose beyond just making money. Even if the mission is something straightforward like "make billions selling delicious cheap bananas," having a coherent aim matters.
Recognition is valuable primarily because it connects me with others who share my values and interests, not for its own sake. I'd rather create something useful than be famous for something trivial.
7. Continuous Growth and Intellectual Curiosity
I deeply value learning, developing new capabilities, and pushing boundaries of knowledge. I miss the rapid growth of ages 17-21 and would like to recapture that feeling of rapid expansion of capabilities. My curiosity drives me to explore widely - from history to physics to social dynamics.
This curiosity isn't just instrumental but intrinsic - I genuinely enjoy understanding how things work and discovering new ideas for their own sake. As I wrote in my dating profile: "I love truth and beauty and am extremely curious; I get a lot of pleasure from knowing how things work."
I'm drawn to science fiction concepts and transhumanist ideas because they represent dramatic growth possibilities beyond current limitations.
8. Efficiency and Effectiveness
I value approaches that actually work to solve problems rather than those that just appear to address them. I'm frustrated by inefficiency, incompetence, and management that prevents effective action.
While this is partly a reaction to negative experiences, I genuinely enjoy making processes more efficient and seeing systems operate at their best potential. I want to eliminate unnecessary friction that prevents good things from happening.
This extends to personal determination - when something matters, I'll try multiple approaches rather than giving up easily. As I wrote in my dating profile about being stranded at boating camp: "I remember trying cellphones, radios, text messages, friend relays, finding charter services, borrowing a smaller boat, inflatable rafts, and just swimming to shore before we finally got through."
9. Social Freedom and Belonging
I value environments where I can be authentic without fear of judgment or rejection. This includes both intellectual freedom (expressing unusual ideas) and emotional/personal freedom (being uninhibited, singing without fear of being judged).
I want to be included in communities and events that interest me, to experience social connection without constant self-monitoring or fear. This connects to my desire for environments where I don't have to be "a strange alien visitor" but can be part of a group that shares my interests and accepts me.
This isn't just about comfort - it's about being able to fully express myself and connect with others without artificial barriers.
10. Independent Thought
I value forming my own judgments rather than automatically adopting consensus views. I strive to resist emotional reasoning on charged topics and maintain intellectual independence even when it's socially costly.
This doesn't mean contrarianism for its own sake, but rather ensuring my beliefs are grounded in evidence and reasoning I personally find compelling, not just social pressure or authority.
At the same time, I recognize my own past difficulties in this area, particularly around charged topics where emotions can override clear thinking.
This value connects to my interest in communities like Less Wrong that prioritize epistemic rationality and careful thinking.