3.a. I’ve experienced EA’s social dynamics as protecting influential members from accountability.
Needs not fulfilled: safety, effectiveness, justice
Associated emotions: worry
Description: “I’m concerned that EA’s social dynamics create unhealthy power structures that protect influential members from accountability. Access to information and opportunities depends on personal connections with influential EAs, favouring socially skilled individuals, sycophants, or those sharing their demographics. There’s an exclusive ‘in-group’ social scene that’s difficult to break into without displaying the right social signals or adopting orthodox positions. Even when done in a genuine truth-seeking manner, expressing certain views or asking uncomfortable questions can lead to social ostracism or retaliation, as seen in the high number of anonymous users on the EA Forum. This creates an environment where challenging powerful people becomes risky. I worry that these dynamics make it easier for influential members to avoid scrutiny and harder for the community to self-correct when problems arise.”
The description is about punishment for dissent from non-influential EAs, but the title is about influential members. (And I’d vote differently depending on which is intended.)
3.a. I’ve experienced EA’s social dynamics as protecting influential members from accountability.
Needs not fulfilled: safety, effectiveness, justice
Associated emotions: worry
Description: “I’m concerned that EA’s social dynamics create unhealthy power structures that protect influential members from accountability. Access to information and opportunities depends on personal connections with influential EAs, favouring socially skilled individuals, sycophants, or those sharing their demographics. There’s an exclusive ‘in-group’ social scene that’s difficult to break into without displaying the right social signals or adopting orthodox positions. Even when done in a genuine truth-seeking manner, expressing certain views or asking uncomfortable questions can lead to social ostracism or retaliation, as seen in the high number of anonymous users on the EA Forum. This creates an environment where challenging powerful people becomes risky. I worry that these dynamics make it easier for influential members to avoid scrutiny and harder for the community to self-correct when problems arise.”
The description is about punishment for dissent from non-influential EAs, but the title is about influential members. (And I’d vote differently depending on which is intended.)