Overcoming Bias

Share this post

Owls Are Far

www.overcomingbias.com

Discover more from Overcoming Bias

This is a blog on why we believe and do what we do, why we pretend otherwise, how we might do better, and what our descendants might do, if they don't all die.
Over 11,000 subscribers
Continue reading
Sign in

Owls Are Far

Robin Hanson
Mar 4, 2012
Share this post

Owls Are Far

www.overcomingbias.com
6
Share

Questionnaire results from more than 350 people showed that morning types are attracted to concrete information rather than abstract thinking and like to rely on logic rather than intuition. They tend to be introverted, self-controlled, and eager to make a good impression on others. In contrast, evening types have a far more creative outlook on life, are more prepared to take risks, are more independent and nonconforming, and are a little impulsive. (more; HT Katja Grace; see also)

Larks are older, more conformist, more dependable [than owls], and so more likely to set official rules. Such rules seem to favor lark-preferred hours of work, school, etc., and to give larks higher school grades even though owls are smarter and eventually richer. (more)

So some folks really do lean far, while others lean near. Near folks coordinate better to benefit their kind. Which makes sense – in contests of conniving, practical minded folks should consistently beat idealists.

Note that although in general happy is far, larks are happier.

Share this post

Owls Are Far

www.overcomingbias.com
6
Share
6 Comments
Share this discussion

Owls Are Far

www.overcomingbias.com
Overcoming Bias Commenter
May 15

I am definitely a lark. (Writing this at 4:30 AM, and for me, that comes at the beginning of the day, not the end.) When you reach the point of having a 9:00 PM, or earlier, bedtime, you're definitely in the range where such habits seem quite eccentric in a thirty-year-old man.

And this fits pretty well. I am mostly oriented towards the Near kind of thinking and values, and towards an almost bee-like devotion to whatever my current set of habits happen to be. But at the same time, I also identify with the Owls who will stay up late, party, and think creatively; I can be like them, and such friendships as I form are likely to be with them. So yeah, I have owl tendencies, but the lark in me usually wins.

Expand full comment
Reply
Share
Overcoming Bias Commenter
May 15

That's interesting stuff.

I used to be an owl, but as I grow older I find myself becoming more and more of a morning person.

I guess that conforms with your research.

Expand full comment
Reply
Share
4 more comments...
Top
New
Community

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Robin Hanson
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing