Agree with Xavier’s comment that people should consider reversing the advice, but generally confused/worried that this post is getting downvoted (13 karma on 18 votes as of this writing). In general, I want the forum to be a place where bold, truth-seeking claims about how to do more good get attention. My model of people downvoting this is that they are worried that this will make people work harder despite this being suboptimal. I think that people can make these evaluations well for themselves, and that it’s good to present people with information and arguments that might change their mind. Just as “donate lots of your money to global charities” and “stop buying animal products” are unwelcome to hear and might be bad for you if you take them to extremes in your context but are probably good for the world, “consider working more hours” could be bad in some cases but also might help people learn faster and become excellent at impactful work, and we should be at least be comfortable debating whether we’re at the right point on the curve.
I agree that the forum should be a place for bold, truth-seeking claims about how to do more good. However, I think recommending people try taking stimulants is quite different to recommending people try working longer hours. The downside risks of harm are higher and more serious, and more difficult for readers to interpret for themselves. I don’t think this post is well argued, but the part on stimulants is particularly weak.
Agree with Xavier’s comment that people should consider reversing the advice, but generally confused/worried that this post is getting downvoted (13 karma on 18 votes as of this writing). In general, I want the forum to be a place where bold, truth-seeking claims about how to do more good get attention. My model of people downvoting this is that they are worried that this will make people work harder despite this being suboptimal. I think that people can make these evaluations well for themselves, and that it’s good to present people with information and arguments that might change their mind. Just as “donate lots of your money to global charities” and “stop buying animal products” are unwelcome to hear and might be bad for you if you take them to extremes in your context but are probably good for the world, “consider working more hours” could be bad in some cases but also might help people learn faster and become excellent at impactful work, and we should be at least be comfortable debating whether we’re at the right point on the curve.
I agree that the forum should be a place for bold, truth-seeking claims about how to do more good. However, I think recommending people try taking stimulants is quite different to recommending people try working longer hours. The downside risks of harm are higher and more serious, and more difficult for readers to interpret for themselves. I don’t think this post is well argued, but the part on stimulants is particularly weak.