“If it’s also sufficiently likely that some people could figure this out and put us on a better path, then it seems really bad that we might be putting off those very people.”
Here! When I was twelve, I spent four years finding the best way to benefit others, then I developed my skill-set to pursue a career in it… 26 years ago. So, I might qualify as one of those motivated altruists who is turned-off by the response they’ve gotten from EA. I think I’m one of the people you want to listen to carefully:
I don’t need funding—I already devote 100% of my time as I choose, and I’m glad to give it all to each cause. I am looking to have the 1-to-2 hour long, 2-to-5 person thoughtful conversation, on literally dozens of existing and EA-adjacent topics. I am not looking for a 30min. networking/elevator-pitch at a conference, because I’m not trying to get hired as a PA. I am not looking for the meandering, noisy, distracted banter at a brief social event. This forum, unfortunately, has presented me with consistent misrepresentations and fallacies, which the commentators refuse to address when I point them out. Slack is similarly incapable of the deeper, thoughtful conversations, with members and outsiders, that fosters insight and understanding.
There are numerous ideas, opportunities, methods, that are going un-noticed because of the barriers placed in front of thoughtful dialogue. It is a burden that should rest upon those EAs who are dismissive of deeper conversation, instead of being the “price I have to pay, to prove myself, before anyone will listen”, as I was most recently told on this Forum.
“There are numerous ideas, opportunities, methods, that are going un-noticed because of the barriers placed in front of thoughtful dialogue. It is a burden that should rest upon those EAs who are dismissive of deeper conversation, instead of being the “price I have to pay, to prove myself, before anyone will listen”, as I was most recently told on this Forum.”
Your last paragraph is exactly what I’m worried about when considering engaging EA and exactly why I bring up “signalling” and “posturing” in my own post. I worry about the maturity of the community, and the seriousness EA has about actually getting things done as opposed to being self-congratulatory on their enlightened approach. I think most seasoned professionals don’t have the patience for this kind of dynamic. However, I’ve yet to determine for myself the extent that this dynamic actually exists in the community.
“Remember that the marginal value of another HEA is way lower than the marginal value of an actual legitimate criticism of EA nobody else has considered yet.”
I am looking to have the 1-to-2 hour long, 2-to-5 person thoughtful conversation, on literally dozens of existing and EA-adjacent topics.
I sympathize with this as it does seem like there aren’t currently a ton of these opportunities like this.
This forum, unfortunately, has presented me with consistent misrepresentations and fallacies, which the commentators refuse to address when I point them out.
This is a pretty strong statement that seems like it would benefit from some examples to support it—though maybe it is beside the point as the forum probably isn’t going to be the “1-to-2 hour long, 2-to-5 person thoughtful conversation” you are looking for anyway.
“If it’s also sufficiently likely that some people could figure this out and put us on a better path, then it seems really bad that we might be putting off those very people.”
Here! When I was twelve, I spent four years finding the best way to benefit others, then I developed my skill-set to pursue a career in it… 26 years ago. So, I might qualify as one of those motivated altruists who is turned-off by the response they’ve gotten from EA. I think I’m one of the people you want to listen to carefully:
I don’t need funding—I already devote 100% of my time as I choose, and I’m glad to give it all to each cause. I am looking to have the 1-to-2 hour long, 2-to-5 person thoughtful conversation, on literally dozens of existing and EA-adjacent topics. I am not looking for a 30min. networking/elevator-pitch at a conference, because I’m not trying to get hired as a PA. I am not looking for the meandering, noisy, distracted banter at a brief social event. This forum, unfortunately, has presented me with consistent misrepresentations and fallacies, which the commentators refuse to address when I point them out. Slack is similarly incapable of the deeper, thoughtful conversations, with members and outsiders, that fosters insight and understanding.
There are numerous ideas, opportunities, methods, that are going un-noticed because of the barriers placed in front of thoughtful dialogue. It is a burden that should rest upon those EAs who are dismissive of deeper conversation, instead of being the “price I have to pay, to prove myself, before anyone will listen”, as I was most recently told on this Forum.
“There are numerous ideas, opportunities, methods, that are going un-noticed because of the barriers placed in front of thoughtful dialogue. It is a burden that should rest upon those EAs who are dismissive of deeper conversation, instead of being the “price I have to pay, to prove myself, before anyone will listen”, as I was most recently told on this Forum.”
Your last paragraph is exactly what I’m worried about when considering engaging EA and exactly why I bring up “signalling” and “posturing” in my own post. I worry about the maturity of the community, and the seriousness EA has about actually getting things done as opposed to being self-congratulatory on their enlightened approach. I think most seasoned professionals don’t have the patience for this kind of dynamic. However, I’ve yet to determine for myself the extent that this dynamic actually exists in the community.
“Remember that the marginal value of another HEA is way lower than the marginal value of an actual legitimate criticism of EA nobody else has considered yet.”
Thank you for saying it!
I sympathize with this as it does seem like there aren’t currently a ton of these opportunities like this.
This is a pretty strong statement that seems like it would benefit from some examples to support it—though maybe it is beside the point as the forum probably isn’t going to be the “1-to-2 hour long, 2-to-5 person thoughtful conversation” you are looking for anyway.