This is a good post. At present I’m happy being a public EA, but I recently was recommended for my first public appointment—I wonder if any of my posts will ever be held to me to justify? Perhaps used as evidence of my character, beliefs, or bias. Also, not everything ages well. Look how LGBTQ+ language has changed just in a decade. What is acceptable verbiage today is hateful tomorrow, and vice versa. I just write my comments with that in mind for the moment and try to be the best person I can, but it does indeed mean there are risks attached. It’s a concern how the future may judge us despite our best efforts, but I feel as a public servant it is important my thoughts are tied to my real name that I be judged accordingly.
For being associated with unpopular EA ideas, I just make sure it’s clear what I identify and agree with.
Some opinions held by EA founders, big names, I disagree with very strongly on a very fundamental level. I just don’t engage with that. I mean just look at Peter Thiel’s surveillance involvement for authoritarian purposes or Peter Singer’s views on the rights of disabled children. However they also have very good ideas in other areas worthy of exploration.
I reconcile that by being open that just because I am involved in an organisation or philosophy, it doesn’t mean I agree with everything it does or says. I am proud to be a Buddhist, but I condemn the Myanmar genocide that Buddhists are perpetrating. Both my parents had (mostly before my birth) extensive criminal records—I love them, yet don’t condone their acts. It’s worth mentioning they’re pillars of the community now!
This is a good post. At present I’m happy being a public EA, but I recently was recommended for my first public appointment—I wonder if any of my posts will ever be held to me to justify? Perhaps used as evidence of my character, beliefs, or bias. Also, not everything ages well. Look how LGBTQ+ language has changed just in a decade. What is acceptable verbiage today is hateful tomorrow, and vice versa. I just write my comments with that in mind for the moment and try to be the best person I can, but it does indeed mean there are risks attached. It’s a concern how the future may judge us despite our best efforts, but I feel as a public servant it is important my thoughts are tied to my real name that I be judged accordingly.
For being associated with unpopular EA ideas, I just make sure it’s clear what I identify and agree with.
Some opinions held by EA founders, big names, I disagree with very strongly on a very fundamental level. I just don’t engage with that. I mean just look at Peter Thiel’s surveillance involvement for authoritarian purposes or Peter Singer’s views on the rights of disabled children. However they also have very good ideas in other areas worthy of exploration.
I reconcile that by being open that just because I am involved in an organisation or philosophy, it doesn’t mean I agree with everything it does or says. I am proud to be a Buddhist, but I condemn the Myanmar genocide that Buddhists are perpetrating. Both my parents had (mostly before my birth) extensive criminal records—I love them, yet don’t condone their acts. It’s worth mentioning they’re pillars of the community now!