As a negative utilitarian I’m bitter about all the X-risk prevention enthusiasts trying to stop me from pushing the big red button
Jokes aside—I got very excited about EA when I learned about it. At some point I became aware of the excitement and I had a concern pop up that it sounds too good to be true, almost like a cult. I consider myself rather impressionable/​easy to manipulate so I learned that when I feel very hyped about something it should make me healthily suspicious.
I’m grateful for the article earlier in the chapter that presented some good faith criticism and I agree with some of its points
Some thoughts:
EA may feel alienating to people who aren’t top-of-their-field 150iq professionals. I very much relate to this post: https://​​forum.effectivealtruism.org/​​posts/​​x9Rn5SfapcbbZaZy9/​​ea-for-dumb-people . Maybe it’s for the better and results in higher talent density and better reputation for the movement, maybe we’re missing out on some skilled people/​​potential donors or critical mass.
I’d love to see some statistics on why people leave the movement, and what the rate is. I suspect that moral perfectionism leading to self-neglect and burnout is an occupational hazard among EAs (like it is among animal advocates).
It’s somewhat difficult to talk about EA to regular people. Look, there’s this movement that can literally save the world from apocalypse (cultish), and we also believe that shrimp welfare is important (insane). On the other hand, maybe I shouldn’t start my conversations like that.
My criticisms about EA:
As a negative utilitarian I’m bitter about all the X-risk prevention enthusiasts trying to stop me from pushing the big red button
Jokes aside—I got very excited about EA when I learned about it. At some point I became aware of the excitement and I had a concern pop up that it sounds too good to be true, almost like a cult. I consider myself rather impressionable/​easy to manipulate so I learned that when I feel very hyped about something it should make me healthily suspicious.
I’m grateful for the article earlier in the chapter that presented some good faith criticism and I agree with some of its points
Some thoughts:
EA may feel alienating to people who aren’t top-of-their-field 150iq professionals. I very much relate to this post: https://​​forum.effectivealtruism.org/​​posts/​​x9Rn5SfapcbbZaZy9/​​ea-for-dumb-people . Maybe it’s for the better and results in higher talent density and better reputation for the movement, maybe we’re missing out on some skilled people/​​potential donors or critical mass.
I’d love to see some statistics on why people leave the movement, and what the rate is. I suspect that moral perfectionism leading to self-neglect and burnout is an occupational hazard among EAs (like it is among animal advocates).
It’s somewhat difficult to talk about EA to regular people. Look, there’s this movement that can literally save the world from apocalypse (cultish), and we also believe that shrimp welfare is important (insane). On the other hand, maybe I shouldn’t start my conversations like that.