The target for researchers to “be able to think unusually clearly” personally pushes towards the Bellingham location. That sort of semi-isolation in, for me, one of the most beautiful regions in the US is highly conducive to focused thought.
Although, I think it trades off with other potential goals, for example: community expansion or access to power. Those of you in miri know better where you are on timeline but research institute in the woods feels like it optimizes for a very particular move and may leave you less flexibility if the game isn’t in the state you imagine. As noted, I lack the information to know whether that’s a good or bad bet.
If you prefer a more flexible approach, I’d consider one of the new or old tech hubs: Austin being an example of the former, Boston the latter. Both seem in some ways to be more future oriented than the bay which sadly feels like it’s being consumed by a hustler/MBA ethos rather than a creative one. Also, perhaps consider hubs focused around next-gen industries such as biotech (Boston again or maybe San Diego) as there’s just a difference in cultural dynamism as opposed to locations very much in exploit mode.
Finally, if you’re still considering moving the community en masse, as discussed in the earlier posts, the only communities I can think of that have successfully done that have not left by choice. While in two minutes of thought I haven’t come up with a way to drive the rationalists from the bay without physical risk or legal jeopardy, that does not mean it can’t be done. Short of that, schisms can do wonders for motivation.
Although, I think it trades off with other potential goals, for example: community expansion or access to power. Those of you in miri know better where you are on timeline but research institute in the woods feels like it optimizes for a very particular move and may leave you less flexibility if the game isn’t in the state you imagine. As noted, I lack the information to know whether that’s a good or bad bet.
Great point. I too lack the information to really say, but I would imagine that the endgame would be to ~100x the size of MIRI, and that when you’re at that endgame you would want to be in a place where you can attract the top talent. Which I’ve always presumed to be SF or NY, but perhaps not in MIRI’s case. MIRI is looking for top AI researchers, and maybe that sort of person, for whatever reason, doesn’t prefer a tech hub.
Anyway, I’m thinking that if 100x is the endgame, maybe it’d make sense to optimize for that right now, since moving from one location to another is tough to do, especially once MIRI grows even more. Then again, maybe not. Maybe moving isn’t as difficult as I’m assuming. Or maybe it would make it too hard to reach the 100x point in the first place being in a tech hub, although when I write that out it doesn’t sound correct.
The target for researchers to “be able to think unusually clearly” personally pushes towards the Bellingham location. That sort of semi-isolation in, for me, one of the most beautiful regions in the US is highly conducive to focused thought.
Although, I think it trades off with other potential goals, for example: community expansion or access to power. Those of you in miri know better where you are on timeline but research institute in the woods feels like it optimizes for a very particular move and may leave you less flexibility if the game isn’t in the state you imagine. As noted, I lack the information to know whether that’s a good or bad bet.
If you prefer a more flexible approach, I’d consider one of the new or old tech hubs: Austin being an example of the former, Boston the latter. Both seem in some ways to be more future oriented than the bay which sadly feels like it’s being consumed by a hustler/MBA ethos rather than a creative one. Also, perhaps consider hubs focused around next-gen industries such as biotech (Boston again or maybe San Diego) as there’s just a difference in cultural dynamism as opposed to locations very much in exploit mode.
Finally, if you’re still considering moving the community en masse, as discussed in the earlier posts, the only communities I can think of that have successfully done that have not left by choice. While in two minutes of thought I haven’t come up with a way to drive the rationalists from the bay without physical risk or legal jeopardy, that does not mean it can’t be done. Short of that, schisms can do wonders for motivation.
Great point. I too lack the information to really say, but I would imagine that the endgame would be to ~100x the size of MIRI, and that when you’re at that endgame you would want to be in a place where you can attract the top talent. Which I’ve always presumed to be SF or NY, but perhaps not in MIRI’s case. MIRI is looking for top AI researchers, and maybe that sort of person, for whatever reason, doesn’t prefer a tech hub.
Anyway, I’m thinking that if 100x is the endgame, maybe it’d make sense to optimize for that right now, since moving from one location to another is tough to do, especially once MIRI grows even more. Then again, maybe not. Maybe moving isn’t as difficult as I’m assuming. Or maybe it would make it too hard to reach the 100x point in the first place being in a tech hub, although when I write that out it doesn’t sound correct.
Thanks, this is excellent food for thought. I may come back and ask you for more of your models later.
Of course. Just let me know if I can be of help.