Except, perhaps, dictators and other ne’er-do-wells.
I would guess that a significant number of power-seeking people in history and the present are power-seeking precisely because they think that those they are vying for power with are some form of “ne’er-do-wells.” So the original statement:
Importantly, when longtermists say “we should try and influence the long-term future”, I think they/we really mean everyone.
with the footnote doesn’t seem to mean very much. “Everyone, except those viewed as irresponsible,” historically, at least, has certainly not meant everyone, and to some people means very few people.
Importantly, when longtermists say “we should try and influence the long-term future”, I think they/we really mean everyone.
Someone privately gave me the feedback that it should probably be “on behalf of everyone” and not “everyone should try and influence the long-term future” and I think I agree. This would also mean I wouldn’t need the footnote.
I would guess that a significant number of power-seeking people in history and the present are power-seeking precisely because they think that those they are vying for power with are some form of “ne’er-do-wells.” So the original statement:
with the footnote doesn’t seem to mean very much. “Everyone, except those viewed as irresponsible,” historically, at least, has certainly not meant everyone, and to some people means very few people.
Yeah, as I comment below:
Someone privately gave me the feedback that it should probably be “on behalf of everyone” and not “everyone should try and influence the long-term future” and I think I agree. This would also mean I wouldn’t need the footnote.