Summary:I am aware there are grassroots efforts from groups of individuals in effective altruism to support Carrick Flynn that exist independently of his campaign, or at least not officially affiliated with it. It’s not evident in what way(s) this post may or may not be affiliated with Flynn’s campaign. Yet I became aware of concerns among others in EA about how communications from active campaign supporters seem hasty and ambiguous. I present my similar experience below to inform further discussion.
I noticed this post when it was initially published a couple months ago. I didn’t comment at the time because I was already aware of Carrick Flynn’s campaign and the rationale for why others in effective altruism favoured supporting the campaign, financially and otherwise. I am only commenting now as I became aware from another post some concerns from some in effective altruism about the public communication of others supporting the campaign. I will present an experience I had with one of Flynn’s supporters in EA who contacted me as it may be relevant.
I received an invitation to participate in an effort of generating internet memes in support of Flynn’s campaign (as I am someone known to be willing to make popular memes in support of various efforts in effective altruism). I am not aware that this or other individuals they’re working with in support of Flynn’s campaign are officially involved. I suspect not. Rather, I’m aware efforts like this are independent and grassroots from a genuine support for Flynn’s campaign in EA.
I sent a message to the one who invited me (I will not disclose their name at this time) and said I’m not comfortable making memes until I could vet Flynn as a candidate and the policies he is running on. They assured me Flynn was running on solid policies but I said I’d check anyway. I agreed after I checked the campaign website.
The encounter was strange because there was encouragement and enthusiasm to support the campaign without information provided other than random personal testimony lacking in details. This may be one example (among others) for discussion of how those in support of a political candidate can communicate with others in EA better in the future.
Summary: I am aware there are grassroots efforts from groups of individuals in effective altruism to support Carrick Flynn that exist independently of his campaign, or at least not officially affiliated with it. It’s not evident in what way(s) this post may or may not be affiliated with Flynn’s campaign. Yet I became aware of concerns among others in EA about how communications from active campaign supporters seem hasty and ambiguous. I present my similar experience below to inform further discussion.
I noticed this post when it was initially published a couple months ago. I didn’t comment at the time because I was already aware of Carrick Flynn’s campaign and the rationale for why others in effective altruism favoured supporting the campaign, financially and otherwise. I am only commenting now as I became aware from another post some concerns from some in effective altruism about the public communication of others supporting the campaign. I will present an experience I had with one of Flynn’s supporters in EA who contacted me as it may be relevant.
I received an invitation to participate in an effort of generating internet memes in support of Flynn’s campaign (as I am someone known to be willing to make popular memes in support of various efforts in effective altruism). I am not aware that this or other individuals they’re working with in support of Flynn’s campaign are officially involved. I suspect not. Rather, I’m aware efforts like this are independent and grassroots from a genuine support for Flynn’s campaign in EA.
I sent a message to the one who invited me (I will not disclose their name at this time) and said I’m not comfortable making memes until I could vet Flynn as a candidate and the policies he is running on. They assured me Flynn was running on solid policies but I said I’d check anyway. I agreed after I checked the campaign website.
The encounter was strange because there was encouragement and enthusiasm to support the campaign without information provided other than random personal testimony lacking in details. This may be one example (among others) for discussion of how those in support of a political candidate can communicate with others in EA better in the future.