Needs not fulfilled: equality, to be seen, to matter, belongingness
Associated emotions: envy, shame, anger
Description: “I wish I was smarter, more competent, more accomplished, more… It’s not fair. Many EAs are from competitive universities or have accomplished impressive feats. They get invited to exclusive coworking spaces and retreats. They get grants easily or are in positions to give out grants to others. They get 100+ karma points on the EA Forum whilst I struggle to contribute meaningfully to discussions. They are younger than me but already moving between prestigious roles, whilst I’m burnt out from rejections. Even their hobbies are impressive—thoughtful Substack posts instead of casual social media, ultra-marathons instead of occasional gym workouts. Furthermore, the Western, English-speaking backdrop, the complex core knowledge in the EA Handbook, technical jargon-filled discussions, and rationalist norms like high decoupling make EA’s barrier to entry much higher. I just want to be seen, to matter, and to be appreciated in the movement. But I feel like an invisible imposter.”
6.a. I feel invisible and inadequate in EA.
Needs not fulfilled: equality, to be seen, to matter, belongingness
Associated emotions: envy, shame, anger
Description: “I wish I was smarter, more competent, more accomplished, more… It’s not fair. Many EAs are from competitive universities or have accomplished impressive feats. They get invited to exclusive coworking spaces and retreats. They get grants easily or are in positions to give out grants to others. They get 100+ karma points on the EA Forum whilst I struggle to contribute meaningfully to discussions. They are younger than me but already moving between prestigious roles, whilst I’m burnt out from rejections. Even their hobbies are impressive—thoughtful Substack posts instead of casual social media, ultra-marathons instead of occasional gym workouts. Furthermore, the Western, English-speaking backdrop, the complex core knowledge in the EA Handbook, technical jargon-filled discussions, and rationalist norms like high decoupling make EA’s barrier to entry much higher. I just want to be seen, to matter, and to be appreciated in the movement. But I feel like an invisible imposter.”