Ultimately I agree with: “x-risk is high”, “the long-term is overwhelmingly important”, and “we should use reason and evidence to decide what is most important and then do it”, so what I choose to emphasize to people in my messaging is a strategic consideration about what I think will have the best effects, including convincingness. (I think you agree.)
One reason why the EA community seems to spend so much energy on the EA-principle thing is that we’ve figured out that it’s a good meme. It’s well-exercised. Whereas the “x-risk is high” message is less-well validated. I would also share you concern that it would turn people off. But maybe it would be good? I think we should probably try more on the margin!
I do think “the long-term is overwhelmingly important” is probably over-emphasized in messaging. Maybe it’s important for more academic discussions of cause prioritization, but I’d be surprised if it deserved to be as front-and-center as it is.
Yep, agree with the first paragraph. I do think a good counterargument to this post is “but let’s try it out! If it is effective, that might make community-building much more straightforward”.
I’m unsure about the prevalence of “the long-term is overwhelmingly important”. On the one hand, it might be unnecessary but, on the other, this feels like one of the most important ideas I’ve come across in my life!
Congrats on posting your draft!
Ultimately I agree with: “x-risk is high”, “the long-term is overwhelmingly important”, and “we should use reason and evidence to decide what is most important and then do it”, so what I choose to emphasize to people in my messaging is a strategic consideration about what I think will have the best effects, including convincingness. (I think you agree.)
One reason why the EA community seems to spend so much energy on the EA-principle thing is that we’ve figured out that it’s a good meme. It’s well-exercised. Whereas the “x-risk is high” message is less-well validated. I would also share you concern that it would turn people off. But maybe it would be good? I think we should probably try more on the margin!
I do think “the long-term is overwhelmingly important” is probably over-emphasized in messaging. Maybe it’s important for more academic discussions of cause prioritization, but I’d be surprised if it deserved to be as front-and-center as it is.
Thanks!
Yep, agree with the first paragraph. I do think a good counterargument to this post is “but let’s try it out! If it is effective, that might make community-building much more straightforward”.
I’m unsure about the prevalence of “the long-term is overwhelmingly important”. On the one hand, it might be unnecessary but, on the other, this feels like one of the most important ideas I’ve come across in my life!