Basically, I think we need to do more for newcomers than just tell them to read a sequence; I mean, I think each of us had to actually argue out points we thought were obvious before we moved forward on these issues. Having a continuous open thread on such topics (including, of course, links to the relevant posts or Wiki entry) would be much better, IMO.
A monthly “Old Topics” thread, or a collection of them on various topics, would be great, although there ought to be a really obvious link directing people to it.
While I’m not saying there shouldn’t be a place to discuss those topics I think the first thing a newcomer sees should focus on epistemology, rationality and community norms of rationality.
1) This is still presumably what this site is about.
2) Once you get the right attitude and the right approach the other subjects don’t require patient explanation. A place to discuss those things is fine, but if the issue comes up elsewhere and a veteran does respond brusquely to a newcomer they can probably deal with it if they have internalized less wrong norms, traditional rationality and some of the Bayesian type stuff we do here.
3) There seems to be near universal agreement on the rationality stuff but I’m not sure that is the case with the other issues. I know I agree with the typical LW position on the first four of your questions, but I disagree on the last two. I suspect most people here don’t think cryonics will probably work (just that it working is likely enough to justify the cost). There are probably some determinists mixed in with a lot of compatibilists and there are definitely dissenters on theory of the mind stuff (I’m thinking of Michael Porter who otherwise appears to be a totally reasonable less wrong member). Check the survey results for more evidence of dissent. That there is still disagreement on these issues that is reason to keep discussing them. But I don’t know if we should present the majority views on all these issues as resolved to new users.
But I might just be privileging my own minority views. If the community wants these included I won’t object.
Good points, but I still think that these questions belong in some kind of “Old Topics” thread, because there’s already been a lot said about them, and because most new people will want to argue them anyway. Even if they’re not considered to be settled or to be conditions that define LW, I’d prefer if there’s a place for new people to start discussing them other than 2-year-old threads or tangential references in new posts.
More FAQ topics:
Why the MWI?
Why do you all think cryonics will probably work?
Why a computational theory of mind?
What about free will and consciousness?
What do you mean by “morality”, anyway?
Wait a sec. Torture over dust specks?!?
Basically, I think we need to do more for newcomers than just tell them to read a sequence; I mean, I think each of us had to actually argue out points we thought were obvious before we moved forward on these issues. Having a continuous open thread on such topics (including, of course, links to the relevant posts or Wiki entry) would be much better, IMO.
A monthly “Old Topics” thread, or a collection of them on various topics, would be great, although there ought to be a really obvious link directing people to it.
While I’m not saying there shouldn’t be a place to discuss those topics I think the first thing a newcomer sees should focus on epistemology, rationality and community norms of rationality.
1) This is still presumably what this site is about.
2) Once you get the right attitude and the right approach the other subjects don’t require patient explanation. A place to discuss those things is fine, but if the issue comes up elsewhere and a veteran does respond brusquely to a newcomer they can probably deal with it if they have internalized less wrong norms, traditional rationality and some of the Bayesian type stuff we do here.
3) There seems to be near universal agreement on the rationality stuff but I’m not sure that is the case with the other issues. I know I agree with the typical LW position on the first four of your questions, but I disagree on the last two. I suspect most people here don’t think cryonics will probably work (just that it working is likely enough to justify the cost). There are probably some determinists mixed in with a lot of compatibilists and there are definitely dissenters on theory of the mind stuff (I’m thinking of Michael Porter who otherwise appears to be a totally reasonable less wrong member). Check the survey results for more evidence of dissent. That there is still disagreement on these issues that is reason to keep discussing them. But I don’t know if we should present the majority views on all these issues as resolved to new users.
But I might just be privileging my own minority views. If the community wants these included I won’t object.
Good points, but I still think that these questions belong in some kind of “Old Topics” thread, because there’s already been a lot said about them, and because most new people will want to argue them anyway. Even if they’re not considered to be settled or to be conditions that define LW, I’d prefer if there’s a place for new people to start discussing them other than 2-year-old threads or tangential references in new posts.