Commenting from five months into the future, when this is topically relevant:
I disagree. I read Torres’ arguments as not merely flawed, but as attempts to link longtermism to the far right in US culture wars. In such environments people are inclined to be uncharitable, and to spread the word to others who will also be uncharitable. With enough bad press it’s possible to get a Common Knowledge effect, where even people who are inclined to be openminded are worried about being seen doing so. That could be bad for recruiting, funding, cooperative endeavors, & mental health.
Now, there’s only so many overpoliticized social media bubbles capable of such a wide effect, and they don’t find new targets every day. So the chances of EA becoming a political bogeyman are low, even if Torres is actively attempting this. But I think bringing up his specific insinuations to a new audience invites more of this risk than is worth it.
It is long time ago now, but I don’t remember having the feeling that he linked longtermism to the far right in that text. I don’t know about in other places.
Commenting from five months into the future, when this is topically relevant:
I disagree. I read Torres’ arguments as not merely flawed, but as attempts to link longtermism to the far right in US culture wars. In such environments people are inclined to be uncharitable, and to spread the word to others who will also be uncharitable. With enough bad press it’s possible to get a Common Knowledge effect, where even people who are inclined to be openminded are worried about being seen doing so. That could be bad for recruiting, funding, cooperative endeavors, & mental health.
Now, there’s only so many overpoliticized social media bubbles capable of such a wide effect, and they don’t find new targets every day. So the chances of EA becoming a political bogeyman are low, even if Torres is actively attempting this. But I think bringing up his specific insinuations to a new audience invites more of this risk than is worth it.
It is long time ago now, but I don’t remember having the feeling that he linked longtermism to the far right in that text. I don’t know about in other places.