LW started out as a site where rationality itself was the main topic of discussion. It has since devolved somewhat, into a site dominated by open-ended discussion, but in which certain rational practices still dominate. The danger of a policy of anti-elitism, at a time when the original mission of the site has been somewhat obscured by all the diverse enthusiasms of the community, is that it could complete the devolution of the site into a forum where rationality dominates neither in content nor in practice. The “elitist” current may just be the selfishness of people who don’t want to share a good thing, but it does serve to prevent that final dilution.
I have decided to try and understand other people’s ideas about elitism, because I realized that I don’t know enough about them. Would you like to explain yours to me?
LW started out as a site where rationality itself was the main topic of discussion. It has since devolved somewhat, into a site dominated by open-ended discussion, but in which certain rational practices still dominate. The danger of a policy of anti-elitism, at a time when the original mission of the site has been somewhat obscured by all the diverse enthusiasms of the community, is that it could complete the devolution of the site into a forum where rationality dominates neither in content nor in practice. The “elitist” current may just be the selfishness of people who don’t want to share a good thing, but it does serve to prevent that final dilution.
I have decided to try and understand other people’s ideas about elitism, because I realized that I don’t know enough about them. Would you like to explain yours to me?