Thanks Linch! This list is really helpful. One clarifying question on this point:
Relatedly, what does the learning/exploration value of this project look like?
To the researcher/entrepreneur?
To the institution? (if they’re working in an EA-institutional context)
To the EA or longtermist ecosystem as a whole?
For 1) and 2), I assume you’re referring to the skills gained by the person/institution completing the project, which they could then apply to future projects.
For 3), are you referring to the possibility of “ruling out intervention X as a feasible way to tackle x-risks”? That’s what I’m assuming, but I’m just asking to make sure I understand properly.
Thanks for the question! Hmm, I don’t think there’s a hard cutoff of person/institution vs. ecosystem. For 3), skills learned from completing a project (or trying to complete a project) might also be generalizable elsewhere (so there’s value other than ruling out specific interventions).
For example, learning how to do a biosecurity ballot initiative in California can be useful for doing future biosecurity ballot initiatives in California, or AI safety ones. Some of the skills and knowledge acquired here can be passed on to other individuals or orgs.
Thanks Linch! This list is really helpful. One clarifying question on this point:
For 1) and 2), I assume you’re referring to the skills gained by the person/institution completing the project, which they could then apply to future projects.
For 3), are you referring to the possibility of “ruling out intervention X as a feasible way to tackle x-risks”? That’s what I’m assuming, but I’m just asking to make sure I understand properly.
Thanks again!
Thanks for the question! Hmm, I don’t think there’s a hard cutoff of person/institution vs. ecosystem. For 3), skills learned from completing a project (or trying to complete a project) might also be generalizable elsewhere (so there’s value other than ruling out specific interventions).
For example, learning how to do a biosecurity ballot initiative in California can be useful for doing future biosecurity ballot initiatives in California, or AI safety ones. Some of the skills and knowledge acquired here can be passed on to other individuals or orgs.