The implicit assumption here I want to push back on is questioning whether we want the old trust systems that bordered on hero worship back. I do not long for the days where people commented on Will Macaskill’s biceps and were incredibly deferential instead of questioning. I don’t think it’s good for the community health or the impact of EA.
I really like this point, but I also empathize with the desire for strong public voices focused on pitching EA ideas to the world. It does feel like it’s easier to promote ideas when consistent sets of individuals are spokespeople and public influencers. I hope organizations and the community overall can promote a diverse set of individuals to that sort of platform without blind hero worship in the way you’ve described here!
Thanks I agree that hero worship isn’t good—I suppose I never really experienced that myself so didn’t see that negative side. I hope that in leadership we can have a diverse range of strong public voices which are also humble, involved at grass roots level and responsive to new ideas. I definitely don’t advocate for any kind of “trust based” deference to leaders, but I think we still need good leaders all the same :).
The implicit assumption here I want to push back on is questioning whether we want the old trust systems that bordered on hero worship back. I do not long for the days where people commented on Will Macaskill’s biceps and were incredibly deferential instead of questioning. I don’t think it’s good for the community health or the impact of EA.
I really like this point, but I also empathize with the desire for strong public voices focused on pitching EA ideas to the world. It does feel like it’s easier to promote ideas when consistent sets of individuals are spokespeople and public influencers. I hope organizations and the community overall can promote a diverse set of individuals to that sort of platform without blind hero worship in the way you’ve described here!
Thanks I agree that hero worship isn’t good—I suppose I never really experienced that myself so didn’t see that negative side. I hope that in leadership we can have a diverse range of strong public voices which are also humble, involved at grass roots level and responsive to new ideas. I definitely don’t advocate for any kind of “trust based” deference to leaders, but I think we still need good leaders all the same :).