Like others, I really appreciate these thoughts, and it resonates with me quite a lot. At this point, I think the biggest potential failure mode for EA is too much drift in this direction. I think the “EA needs megaprojects” thing has generated a view that the more we spend, the better, which we need to temper. Given all the resources, there’s a good chance EA is around for a while and quite large and powerful. We need to make sure we put these tools to good use and retain the right values.
EA spending is often perceived as wasteful and self-serving
It’s interesting here how far this is from the original version of EA and its criticisms; e.g. that EA was an unrealistic standard that involved sacrificing one’s identity and sense of companionship for an ascetic universalism.
I think the old perception is likely still more common, but it’s probably a matter of time (which means there’s likely still time to change it). And I think you described the tensions brilliantly.
Like others, I really appreciate these thoughts, and it resonates with me quite a lot. At this point, I think the biggest potential failure mode for EA is too much drift in this direction. I think the “EA needs megaprojects” thing has generated a view that the more we spend, the better, which we need to temper. Given all the resources, there’s a good chance EA is around for a while and quite large and powerful. We need to make sure we put these tools to good use and retain the right values.
It’s interesting here how far this is from the original version of EA and its criticisms; e.g. that EA was an unrealistic standard that involved sacrificing one’s identity and sense of companionship for an ascetic universalism.
I think the old perception is likely still more common, but it’s probably a matter of time (which means there’s likely still time to change it). And I think you described the tensions brilliantly.