[Epistemic status: Mostly a ranting, but I’m also open to the possibility that I’m missing something important about how other people communicate.]
When people write “we should...” about EA. What does this mean exactly?
When ever I read this phrase I’m getting the sense that this person is confused about how EA works. But maybe I’m the one who is missing something.
There are groups that is all about coordinated actions, and for them it does make sense to make suggestions of the form “we should...”. But EA is not like that. Coordinated action is not our thing, and I don’t think it should be. We are not that type of movement.
I love that EA is to a large extent a do-occrasy. The way to get something done in a do-occrasy is not to suggest that “we should” but to say, “I’m starting this project. Anyone want’s to join?”.
The main exception where we’re not do-occrasy is the funding, and everything down stream from that, which is admittedly a large part of EA. If you want funding for your project you do need to convince others to donate to you. But I don’t think the path to getting funding is to write “we should...” on EA forum? Maybe I’m wrong in which case please tell me!
To avoid potential misunderstanding: I’m not any normative claims about funding in this short form!
I’m more understanding of people who write “someone should...”. I’ve done that. It usually doesn’t work, but at least I can see where that would come from.
[Epistemic status: Mostly a ranting, but I’m also open to the possibility that I’m missing something important about how other people communicate.]
When people write “we should...” about EA. What does this mean exactly?
When ever I read this phrase I’m getting the sense that this person is confused about how EA works. But maybe I’m the one who is missing something.
There are groups that is all about coordinated actions, and for them it does make sense to make suggestions of the form “we should...”. But EA is not like that. Coordinated action is not our thing, and I don’t think it should be. We are not that type of movement.
I love that EA is to a large extent a do-occrasy. The way to get something done in a do-occrasy is not to suggest that “we should” but to say, “I’m starting this project. Anyone want’s to join?”.
The main exception where we’re not do-occrasy is the funding, and everything down stream from that, which is admittedly a large part of EA. If you want funding for your project you do need to convince others to donate to you. But I don’t think the path to getting funding is to write “we should...” on EA forum? Maybe I’m wrong in which case please tell me!
To avoid potential misunderstanding: I’m not any normative claims about funding in this short form!
I’m more understanding of people who write “someone should...”. I’ve done that. It usually doesn’t work, but at least I can see where that would come from.
Relevant, ICYMI: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/Pz7RdMRouZ5N5w5eE/ea-should-taboo-ea-should
Ooo look!
Someone already said all the things I wanted to say, except even better. This is great. I feel instantly less annoyed. Thanks :)