Even if you’re correct about crypto becoming a mature and powerful industry someday (and i don’t think you are), this doesn’t change the fact that right now, it is utterly infested with bubbles and scams.
Why should EAers be involved in crypto right now, as opposed to distancing ourselves until crypto stabilises? Because right now I don’t see any reason to be confident in the ability of EA leadership to pick out the scams from the non-scams. Imagine the reputational damage if the FTX debacle happens again.
I hear you. I respect different assessments of the risk/reward for being linked to a young, volatile, unproven industry (such as crypto) that has been subject to many scams, hacks, and bad actors.
However. Crypto still includes
(1) a lot of smart, idealistic, young, technically capable people who lean towards rationalism, and who are distrustful of government do-gooding that isn’t evidence-based, and thus who are potentially aligned with EA
(2) a number of visionary leaders who are committed to developing crypto in ways that reduce global poverty, and who thus seem aligned with ‘classic’ EA cause areas
(3) a lot of ornery older investors who aren’t just invested in crypto, but who appreciate those who keep an open mind about it, and who might be interested in EA
Even if you’re correct about crypto becoming a mature and powerful industry someday (and i don’t think you are), this doesn’t change the fact that right now, it is utterly infested with bubbles and scams.
Why should EAers be involved in crypto right now, as opposed to distancing ourselves until crypto stabilises? Because right now I don’t see any reason to be confident in the ability of EA leadership to pick out the scams from the non-scams. Imagine the reputational damage if the FTX debacle happens again.
I hear you. I respect different assessments of the risk/reward for being linked to a young, volatile, unproven industry (such as crypto) that has been subject to many scams, hacks, and bad actors.
However. Crypto still includes
(1) a lot of smart, idealistic, young, technically capable people who lean towards rationalism, and who are distrustful of government do-gooding that isn’t evidence-based, and thus who are potentially aligned with EA
(2) a number of visionary leaders who are committed to developing crypto in ways that reduce global poverty, and who thus seem aligned with ‘classic’ EA cause areas
(3) a lot of ornery older investors who aren’t just invested in crypto, but who appreciate those who keep an open mind about it, and who might be interested in EA