On point 2 - yes, it is a fair criticism of both int/a and the sensemaking folks that what we’re saying feel indirect. The challenge as I see it is that the things the sensemaking world are pointing at are just a lot harder to put in very explicit terms. That doesn’t necessarily mean stuff like the metacrisis doesn’t exist, it could just mean that its harder to point at/analyze/get traction on.
I’ve heard metacrisis people describe EA as ‘searching for the keys under the lamppost’, in that EA focuses on the things that can be explicitly stated and modeled, which is not necessarily the same as the set of problems that exist. They would argue that instead of continuing to search under the lamppost, maybe we should build new lampposts, or buy a torch, or whatever. I don’t fully condone this but it’s a good intuition pump for where they’re coming from.
Part of int/a’s ambition in building this bridge is to try to caste sensemaking ideas in more direct EA-brained terms (like this rough first attempt), but it’s tough and a work in progress!
On point 3 - sure, a lot of what we talk about here is already in the EA discourse to varying degrees. I think the distinction is the degree in which the value is emphasized and practiced. For example, the element of ‘personal fit’ is a meme that exists within EA, but in the 80k guide feels like a footnote. In contrast, in int/a we have an intention for personal fit to be quite central and have it inform the structure and emergent behavior of the movement.
On point 4 - yea great point. Ultimately it would be cool to examine whether int/a makes sense on both EA territory and other territories.
Thanks for the thoughtful response Elliot!
On point 2 - yes, it is a fair criticism of both int/a and the sensemaking folks that what we’re saying feel indirect. The challenge as I see it is that the things the sensemaking world are pointing at are just a lot harder to put in very explicit terms. That doesn’t necessarily mean stuff like the metacrisis doesn’t exist, it could just mean that its harder to point at/analyze/get traction on.
I’ve heard metacrisis people describe EA as ‘searching for the keys under the lamppost’, in that EA focuses on the things that can be explicitly stated and modeled, which is not necessarily the same as the set of problems that exist. They would argue that instead of continuing to search under the lamppost, maybe we should build new lampposts, or buy a torch, or whatever. I don’t fully condone this but it’s a good intuition pump for where they’re coming from.
Part of int/a’s ambition in building this bridge is to try to caste sensemaking ideas in more direct EA-brained terms (like this rough first attempt), but it’s tough and a work in progress!
On point 3 - sure, a lot of what we talk about here is already in the EA discourse to varying degrees. I think the distinction is the degree in which the value is emphasized and practiced. For example, the element of ‘personal fit’ is a meme that exists within EA, but in the 80k guide feels like a footnote. In contrast, in int/a we have an intention for personal fit to be quite central and have it inform the structure and emergent behavior of the movement.
On point 4 - yea great point. Ultimately it would be cool to examine whether int/a makes sense on both EA territory and other territories.