For onlookers: this thread contains three examples of this dishonest behavior, that range from optics management, to shameless attacks (“brain twisting” by Peter Singer people ???).
This is an intentional, premeditated strategy by Eliezer and LW/MIRI staff, where:
Potential criticisms involving FTX personel’s behavior is attached to all of EA, instead of what a reasonable person reading Ellison’s blog, would find more associated to parts of EA local to the SF area, shielding LW/MIRI from this criticism.
Preempt anticipated future criticism using these arguments
In a time of “evaporative cooling”—Eliezer may try to shift EA’s state and shift it to his faction
This is despite the fact there are structural reasons this has limited gains (there’s already a LW!)—this is less than zero sum.
Note the direct attempts to reference or associate Will MacAskill in this behavior.
LW/MIRI is doing this unilaterally, no other side in EA has criticized LW. This is because there are no other paid influencers, morale is low. This is shameless.
This is coordinated and happening on the EA forum.
A major consideration is that no one wants to enter a space (the EA forum) where the LW/MIRI community easily dominates voting and sentiment. The EA forum is widely believed to be now transformed into an arena to suit your agenda.