I actually think Leverage is not an instance of a bad idea getting too[1] much mindshare, but is an example of fracturing. Leverage is actually one of the most Archipelag-y subcommunities that exists already. Most people think it’s a bad idea, so they went off on their own and did their own thing. And now AFAICT they don’t interact with anyone else much. [Edit: previously ended paragraph with “System working as intended”]
[1] Obviously they have non-zero mindshare and some financial resources, and one can argue over whether non-zero is too much. (I personally think Leverage is more valuable than most people think it is, but I am not currently interested in defending that claim and don’t expect others to take my word on it)
Strong disagreement that this is how we want things to go. Leverage is a black hole. It’s like Wonka’s chocolate factory without the delicious chocolate. Nobody ever goes in except to join! And nobody ever comes out! Occasionally I interact with Nevin, and they do some recruiting and fundraising, but lots of cool people and friends of mine and ours vanished without a trace. And That’s Terrible.
One can disagree about the value of Leverage. Maybe they’re doing good work. Maybe they’re not. I mean, they never talk to us, so how could we possibly tell? But if the proposal is for various groups of us to go off in their corners and never talk to the other groups again, I think that part is really bad.
Re: Leverage
I actually think Leverage is not an instance of a bad idea getting too[1] much mindshare, but is an example of fracturing. Leverage is actually one of the most Archipelag-y subcommunities that exists already. Most people think it’s a bad idea, so they went off on their own and did their own thing. And now AFAICT they don’t interact with anyone else much. [Edit: previously ended paragraph with “System working as intended”]
[1] Obviously they have non-zero mindshare and some financial resources, and one can argue over whether non-zero is too much. (I personally think Leverage is more valuable than most people think it is, but I am not currently interested in defending that claim and don’t expect others to take my word on it)
Strong disagreement that this is how we want things to go. Leverage is a black hole. It’s like Wonka’s chocolate factory without the delicious chocolate. Nobody ever goes in except to join! And nobody ever comes out! Occasionally I interact with Nevin, and they do some recruiting and fundraising, but lots of cool people and friends of mine and ours vanished without a trace. And That’s Terrible.
One can disagree about the value of Leverage. Maybe they’re doing good work. Maybe they’re not. I mean, they never talk to us, so how could we possibly tell? But if the proposal is for various groups of us to go off in their corners and never talk to the other groups again, I think that part is really bad.
Ah, I worded something weirdly there and then said a thing I didn’t mean to say.
“System working as intended” originally came after an extended anecdote about them making a bid more public respect/status, and then failing.
I meant the comment to be saying “Leverage isn’t an example of the Bad Idea Gains traction problem, but is an example of the Splintering Problem.”