But because it also reinforces the image of contest-labor = reasonable, and because this is a blog that is specifically dedicated to helping people make more rational decisions about economic utility, I think it’s important to emphasize that this is not a legitimate way for artists to earn money.
I agree that contest labor is a bad idea for artists, which is why I voted you up. But I’m not sure it’s a bad thing for SIAI to be using contest labor. If you’re hiring, it’s oftentimes the rational thing to do. Prizes for creative work are also seen favorably by economists (particularly Hanson), and so promoting them may be worth it even if a subset of creative professionals responds irrationally.
But I’m not sure it’s a bad thing for SIAI to be using contest labor.
My point wasn’t that it’s a bad thing for SIAI to do, but that I felt that if SIAI is going to do it, it’s important to discuss the issue from an artist’s perspective as well. Without that discussion, the contest encourages both businesses and artists to participate in contest-labor. And while it may be rational to try and get as much free stuff as possible, it’s not rational to give away free stuff. Less Wrong shouldn’t be encouraging people to do irrational things.
Edit: in case it’s still unclear, I’m talking about Less Wrong encouraging (by omission of a more involved discussion) artists to participate in contests that are NOT charity oriented.
I also think it’s somewhat shaky to encourage people (clients) to do things that are only rational because they make it easy to take advantage of people’s irrationality. I wouldn’t say it’s wrong per se, but it’s something that’s cause me to pause and evaluate the surrounding issues.
I agree that contest labor is a bad idea for artists, which is why I voted you up. But I’m not sure it’s a bad thing for SIAI to be using contest labor. If you’re hiring, it’s oftentimes the rational thing to do. Prizes for creative work are also seen favorably by economists (particularly Hanson), and so promoting them may be worth it even if a subset of creative professionals responds irrationally.
My point wasn’t that it’s a bad thing for SIAI to do, but that I felt that if SIAI is going to do it, it’s important to discuss the issue from an artist’s perspective as well. Without that discussion, the contest encourages both businesses and artists to participate in contest-labor. And while it may be rational to try and get as much free stuff as possible, it’s not rational to give away free stuff. Less Wrong shouldn’t be encouraging people to do irrational things.
Edit: in case it’s still unclear, I’m talking about Less Wrong encouraging (by omission of a more involved discussion) artists to participate in contests that are NOT charity oriented.
I also think it’s somewhat shaky to encourage people (clients) to do things that are only rational because they make it easy to take advantage of people’s irrationality. I wouldn’t say it’s wrong per se, but it’s something that’s cause me to pause and evaluate the surrounding issues.