(Pretty confident about the choice, but finding it hard to explain the rationale)
I have started using “member of the EA community” vs “EAs” when I write publicly.
Previously I cared a lot less about using these terms interchangeabley, mainly because referring to myself as an EA didn’t seem inaccurate, it’s quicker and I don’t really see it as tying my identity closely to EA, but over time have changed my mind for a few reasons:
Many people I would consider “EA” in the sense that they work on high impact causes, socially engage with other community members etc. don’t consider themselves EA, might I think would likely consider themselves community members. I wonder if they read things about what “EAs” should do and don’t think it applies to them.
Using the term “an EA” contributes to the sense that there is one (monolithic?) identity that’s very core to a person’s being. E.g. if you leave the community do you lose a core part of your identity?
Finally it also helps be specific about the correct reference class. E.g consider terms like “core EAs” with “leaders of EA-aligned organisations” or “decision makers at leading EA meta organisations” or “thought leaders of the EA community”. (there is also a class for people who don’t directly wield power but have influence over decision makers, I’m not sure what a good phrase to describe this role is).
Many people I would consider “EA” in the sense that they work on high impact causes, socially engage with other community members etc. don’t consider themselves EA, might I think would likely consider themselves community members
This is reasonable, but I think the opposite applies as well. i.e. people can be EA (committed to the philosophy, taking EA actions) but not a member of the community. Personally, this seems a little more natural than the reverse, but YMMV (I have never really felt the intuitive appeal of believing in EA and engaging in EA activities but not describing oneself as “an EA”).
There are people who I would consider “EA” who I wouldn’t consider a “community member” (e.g. if they were not engaging much with other people in the community professionally or socially), but I’d be surprised if they label themselves “EA” (maybe they want to keep their identity small, or don’t like being associated with the EA community).
I think there’s actually one class of people I’ve forgotten—which is “EA professionals”—someone who might professionally collaborate or even work at an EA-aligned organization, but doesn’t see themselves as part of the community. So they would treat an EAG as a purely professional conference (vs. a community event).
There are people who I would consider “EA” who I wouldn’t consider a “community member” (e.g. if they were not engaging much with other people in the community professionally or socially), but I’d be surprised if they label themselves “EA” (maybe they want to keep their identity small, or don’t like being associated with the EA community).
Fwiw, I am broadly an example of this category, which is partly why I raised the example: I strongly believe in EA and engage in EA work, but mostly don’t interact with EAs outside professional contexts. So I would say “I am an EA”, but would be less inclined to say “I am a member of the EA community” except insofar as this just means believes in EA/does EA work.
“People in EA” (not much better, but hits the amorphous group of “community members plus other people who engage in some way” without claiming that they’d all use a particular label)
“People practicing EA” (for people who are actually taking clear actions)
“Community members”
“People” (for example, I think that posts like “things EAs [should/shouldn’t] do” are better as “things people [should/shouldn’t] do” — we aren’t some different species, we are just people with feelings and goals)
(Pretty confident about the choice, but finding it hard to explain the rationale)
I have started using “member of the EA community” vs “EAs” when I write publicly.
Previously I cared a lot less about using these terms interchangeabley, mainly because referring to myself as an EA didn’t seem inaccurate, it’s quicker and I don’t really see it as tying my identity closely to EA, but over time have changed my mind for a few reasons:
Many people I would consider “EA” in the sense that they work on high impact causes, socially engage with other community members etc. don’t consider themselves EA, might I think would likely consider themselves community members. I wonder if they read things about what “EAs” should do and don’t think it applies to them.
Using the term “an EA” contributes to the sense that there is one (monolithic?) identity that’s very core to a person’s being. E.g. if you leave the community do you lose a core part of your identity?
Finally it also helps be specific about the correct reference class. E.g consider terms like “core EAs” with “leaders of EA-aligned organisations” or “decision makers at leading EA meta organisations” or “thought leaders of the EA community”. (there is also a class for people who don’t directly wield power but have influence over decision makers, I’m not sure what a good phrase to describe this role is).
Interested in thoughts!
I started defaulting to saying people trying to do EA—less person focused more action focused
This is reasonable, but I think the opposite applies as well. i.e. people can be EA (committed to the philosophy, taking EA actions) but not a member of the community. Personally, this seems a little more natural than the reverse, but YMMV (I have never really felt the intuitive appeal of believing in EA and engaging in EA activities but not describing oneself as “an EA”).
There are people who I would consider “EA” who I wouldn’t consider a “community member” (e.g. if they were not engaging much with other people in the community professionally or socially), but I’d be surprised if they label themselves “EA” (maybe they want to keep their identity small, or don’t like being associated with the EA community).
I think there’s actually one class of people I’ve forgotten—which is “EA professionals”—someone who might professionally collaborate or even work at an EA-aligned organization, but doesn’t see themselves as part of the community. So they would treat an EAG as a purely professional conference (vs. a community event).
Fwiw, I am broadly an example of this category, which is partly why I raised the example: I strongly believe in EA and engage in EA work, but mostly don’t interact with EAs outside professional contexts. So I would say “I am an EA”, but would be less inclined to say “I am a member of the EA community” except insofar as this just means believes in EA/does EA work.
I also try not to use “EA” as a noun. Alternatives I’ve used in different places:
“People in EA” (not much better, but hits the amorphous group of “community members plus other people who engage in some way” without claiming that they’d all use a particular label)
“People practicing EA” (for people who are actually taking clear actions)
“Community members”
“People” (for example, I think that posts like “things EAs [should/shouldn’t] do” are better as “things people [should/shouldn’t] do” — we aren’t some different species, we are just people with feelings and goals)