I donated to MIRI this year, too, and it is striking — given that you and I coming at the question from different backgrounds (i.e. with me as past MIRI executive) — how similar my reasons (this year) are to yours, including my reaction to Open Phil’s write-up, my reservations, my perception of how field dynamics have changed, etc.
(Note: I work at Open Phil but wasn’t involved in thinking through or deciding Open Phil’s grant to MIRI. My opinions in this comment are, obviously, my own.)
Seeing this comment from you makes me feel good about Open Phil’s internal culture; it seems like evidence that folks who work there feel free to think independently and to voice their thoughts even when they disagree. I hope we manage a culture that makes this sort of thing accessible at CFAR and in general.
I donated to MIRI this year, too, and it is striking — given that you and I coming at the question from different backgrounds (i.e. with me as past MIRI executive) — how similar my reasons (this year) are to yours, including my reaction to Open Phil’s write-up, my reservations, my perception of how field dynamics have changed, etc.
(Note: I work at Open Phil but wasn’t involved in thinking through or deciding Open Phil’s grant to MIRI. My opinions in this comment are, obviously, my own.)
Seeing this comment from you makes me feel good about Open Phil’s internal culture; it seems like evidence that folks who work there feel free to think independently and to voice their thoughts even when they disagree. I hope we manage a culture that makes this sort of thing accessible at CFAR and in general.
Interestingly I don’t think there is a big gap between my position (hence also Luke’s?) and Open Phil’s position.