It seems to be pretty well decided that (as opposed to directly promoting Less Wrong, or Rationality in general), spreading HPMoR is a generally good idea. What are the best ways to go about this, and has anyone undertaken a serious effort?
I came to the conclusion, after considering creating some flyers to post around our meetup’s usual haunts, that online advocacy would be much more efficient and cost effective. Then, after thinking that promotion on large sites with high signal to noise is mostly useless, realized that sharing among smaller communities that you are already a part of (game/specific interest forums, Facebook groups, etc.) might increase likelihood of a clickthrough, due to an even modest amount of social clout and in-group effect (as opposed to creating an account just to spam). And, posting (and bumping) is a very trivial inconvenience—but if you are still held back by the effort of creating a blurb, I’m happy to provide the one I used.
Of course, you should only do this where the forum has made the foolish choice to allow signatures. (One of the things I appreciate about Reddit/LW compared to forums is how they strongly discourage signatures.)
Convince me of this claim that you think is well decided.
I am not convinced that from the viewpoint of a non-rationalist that HPMoR doesn’t have many of the same problems as Spock. I can see many people reading the book, feeling that HP is too “evil,” and deciding that “rationality” is not for them.
Also, EY said “Authors of unfinished stories cannot defend themselves in the possible worlds where your accusation is unfair.” This should swing both ways. If it turns out that HP goes crazy because he was being meta and talking to himself too much, then spreading HPMoR is probably not as good an idea.
It seems to be pretty well decided that (as opposed to directly promoting Less Wrong, or Rationality in general), spreading HPMoR is a generally good idea. What are the best ways to go about this, and has anyone undertaken a serious effort?
I came to the conclusion, after considering creating some flyers to post around our meetup’s usual haunts, that online advocacy would be much more efficient and cost effective. Then, after thinking that promotion on large sites with high signal to noise is mostly useless, realized that sharing among smaller communities that you are already a part of (game/specific interest forums, Facebook groups, etc.) might increase likelihood of a clickthrough, due to an even modest amount of social clout and in-group effect (as opposed to creating an account just to spam). And, posting (and bumping) is a very trivial inconvenience—but if you are still held back by the effort of creating a blurb, I’m happy to provide the one I used.
When it comes to typical online forums signatures are a good way to promote things. Take a quote of HPMOR and attach a link to it.
This got me to read it. Quote was about only wanting to rule the world to get more books or something to that effect.
Of course, you should only do this where the forum has made the foolish choice to allow signatures. (One of the things I appreciate about Reddit/LW compared to forums is how they strongly discourage signatures.)
Convince me of this claim that you think is well decided.
I am not convinced that from the viewpoint of a non-rationalist that HPMoR doesn’t have many of the same problems as Spock. I can see many people reading the book, feeling that HP is too “evil,” and deciding that “rationality” is not for them.
Also, EY said “Authors of unfinished stories cannot defend themselves in the possible worlds where your accusation is unfair.” This should swing both ways. If it turns out that HP goes crazy because he was being meta and talking to himself too much, then spreading HPMoR is probably not as good an idea.