Thanks for raising the concerns about jargon. I want to avoid binary thinking here, and underscore that not all jargon is problematic. Complex concepts expressed in a brief form can be helpful, and what we would like to do is balance minimizing the jargon with presenting complex concepts that we think reason-oriented people not currently aware of rationality might find helpful. However, I do understand and appreciate your point about using simpler language, and we will strive to that end in the future.
Do you think there might be some people who would like to read easy-to-follow blog posts but would not want to read HPMOR, or might want to read both? If so, how do you think our blog posts can be improved to make them more impactful and effective?
reason-oriented people not currently aware of rationality
I don’t know what that phrase means.
Complex concepts expressed in a brief form can be helpful
That’s we have use jargon on LW. On the other hand if want to reach a more broader audience who’s interested in substance but doesn’t know relevant vocabulary jargon reduces the readership experience.
That assumes that your reader already knows the underlying vocabulary.
The core issue is strategic commitment. You aren’t committed to any principles or a target audience.
Answers in Reddits “Explain like I’m five”(ELI5) do from time to time contain jargon when it’s unavoidable but they strive not to. It’s a different style like a post that titled “Succeeding at Other Minds” where a kid simply won’t get what it’s about.
ELI5 explanations of rationality concepts could have use, if the do the job better than wikipedia does at the moment.
By reason-oriented people not currently interested in rationality, I am referring to many people who say they like “reason” but are not aware of Less Wrong and other sources of psychology and cognitive neuroscience-informed rationality.
Regarding target audience: we are not explaining things to five-year-olds, but to a senior high school and college- freshman level audience. And they are responding well so far, as this comment illustrates.
Thanks for raising the concerns about jargon. I want to avoid binary thinking here, and underscore that not all jargon is problematic. Complex concepts expressed in a brief form can be helpful, and what we would like to do is balance minimizing the jargon with presenting complex concepts that we think reason-oriented people not currently aware of rationality might find helpful. However, I do understand and appreciate your point about using simpler language, and we will strive to that end in the future.
Do you think there might be some people who would like to read easy-to-follow blog posts but would not want to read HPMOR, or might want to read both? If so, how do you think our blog posts can be improved to make them more impactful and effective?
I don’t know what that phrase means.
That’s we have use jargon on LW. On the other hand if want to reach a more broader audience who’s interested in substance but doesn’t know relevant vocabulary jargon reduces the readership experience. That assumes that your reader already knows the underlying vocabulary.
The core issue is strategic commitment. You aren’t committed to any principles or a target audience.
Answers in Reddits “Explain like I’m five”(ELI5) do from time to time contain jargon when it’s unavoidable but they strive not to. It’s a different style like a post that titled “Succeeding at Other Minds” where a kid simply won’t get what it’s about.
ELI5 explanations of rationality concepts could have use, if the do the job better than wikipedia does at the moment.
By reason-oriented people not currently interested in rationality, I am referring to many people who say they like “reason” but are not aware of Less Wrong and other sources of psychology and cognitive neuroscience-informed rationality.
Regarding target audience: we are not explaining things to five-year-olds, but to a senior high school and college- freshman level audience. And they are responding well so far, as this comment illustrates.