I agree that a good number of people around EA trend towards sadness (or maybe “pits of despair”). It’s plausible to me that the proportion of the community in this group is somewhat higher than average, but I’m not sure about that. If that is the case, though, then my guess is that some selection effects, rampant Imposter Syndrome, and the weight of always thinking about ways the world is messed up are more important causes than social norms.
I have to say, I actually chuckled when I read “don’t ever indulge in Epicurean style” listed as an iron-clad EA norm. That, uhh, doesn’t match my experience.
I agree that a good number of people around EA trend towards sadness (or maybe “pits of despair”). It’s plausible to me that the proportion of the community in this group is somewhat higher than average, but I’m not sure about that. If that is the case, though, then my guess is that some selection effects, rampant Imposter Syndrome, and the weight of always thinking about ways the world is messed up are more important causes than social norms.
I have to say, I actually chuckled when I read “don’t ever indulge in Epicurean style” listed as an iron-clad EA norm. That, uhh, doesn’t match my experience.