Rationalist evangelism from LW might take two forms, boring and familiar, or eccentric and cultish. The boring and familiar form of rationalist evangelism could encompass opposition to religion, psych 101 lectures about cognitive bias, and tips on how optimism and clear thinking can lead to success in mating and moneymaking. An eccentric and cultish form of rationalist evangelism could be achieved by combining cryonics boosterism, Bayes-worship, insistence that the many-worlds interpretation is the only rational interpretation of quantum mechanics, and the supreme importance of finding the one true AI utility function.
I disagree with the connotation that the latter constitute a “dark side” of Less Wrong and that if you take them seriously and try to persuade people of them you’re being cultish.
Nevertheless, it’s very easy to be perceived as such. I try hard not to be cultish, and I think succeed. But I fail hard at not sounding cultish.
It doesn’t even take cryonics. Even talking about atheism with my (agnostic) Mom was enough. Stating “I don’t believe in God” was acceptable but “God doesn’t exist, and those who believe it does are mistaken” was cultish. Such a level of confidence simply isn’t allowed. And when I tried to talk about immortality and uploading, she was convinced I had a problem.
People will see the “dark side” in Less Wrong even though there is none.
I disagree with the connotation that the latter constitute a “dark side” of Less Wrong and that if you take them seriously and try to persuade people of them you’re being cultish.
Nevertheless, it’s very easy to be perceived as such. I try hard not to be cultish, and I think succeed. But I fail hard at not sounding cultish.
It doesn’t even take cryonics. Even talking about atheism with my (agnostic) Mom was enough. Stating “I don’t believe in God” was acceptable but “God doesn’t exist, and those who believe it does are mistaken” was cultish. Such a level of confidence simply isn’t allowed. And when I tried to talk about immortality and uploading, she was convinced I had a problem.
People will see the “dark side” in Less Wrong even though there is none.