I don’t mean to endorse Holden’s actions—they were obviously ill-judged—but this reads as pretty lightweight stuff. He posted a few anonymous comments boosting GiveWell? [...]
The comments on the “Ask Metafilter” forum intended to give readers the false impression that they were looking at a genuine interaction between the user “geremiah” (who asked for recommendations for charities) and the user “Holden0” who replied (and recommended GiveWell). Both these users were actually the OP. Additionally, the user “geremiah” replied to someone else:
Mike, did you bother to look at what Holden0 linked to? Granted, they don’t look at enough causes, but they did a bunch of work to figure out who’s good and published it. That’s what I’m looking for. […]
If anyone has more sites along the lines of givewell.net, please share.
[…]
These comments can be seen at this page, which is linked to from the GiveWell page that I linked to.
It’s a mistake, but I don’t think an egregious one, and he’s owned it ever since. I think you are being a bit prim. People make mistakes, and learn from them—that’s life. This was 15 years ago, and he’s done an awful lot of good since. I don’t know why you think publicly dragging him through the mud is right or helpful.
I would be spectacularly stupid if I was. To be honest, I barely know the guy. I’m not even an effective altruist, I’m just interested in some of the movement’s first-order research.
Yes. To be clear, I agree with you re Holden’s mistake not being egregious, and him learning from it and doing a lot of good after etc. Was aiming at a little comedic relief. [I feel like we need emoji reacts here.]
The comments on the “Ask Metafilter” forum intended to give readers the false impression that they were looking at a genuine interaction between the user “geremiah” (who asked for recommendations for charities) and the user “Holden0” who replied (and recommended GiveWell). Both these users were actually the OP. Additionally, the user “geremiah” replied to someone else:
These comments can be seen at this page, which is linked to from the GiveWell page that I linked to.
It’s a mistake, but I don’t think an egregious one, and he’s owned it ever since. I think you are being a bit prim. People make mistakes, and learn from them—that’s life. This was 15 years ago, and he’s done an awful lot of good since. I don’t know why you think publicly dragging him through the mud is right or helpful.
Are you Holden? (sorry, couldn’t resist)
I laughed.
I would be spectacularly stupid if I was. To be honest, I barely know the guy. I’m not even an effective altruist, I’m just interested in some of the movement’s first-order research.
Yes. To be clear, I agree with you re Holden’s mistake not being egregious, and him learning from it and doing a lot of good after etc. Was aiming at a little comedic relief. [I feel like we need emoji reacts here.]
Do you think OP should have a disclaimer about this incident in perpetuity?
If not, it’s been 15 years. When do you propose the cutoff would be?