I don’t use the term, and don’t generally refer to the groups it might describe. When I need to describe something, I try to consider the specifics of what I’m trying to convey, and to whom—almost always there are better terms for whatever is under discussion. “philosophical techno-nerds” is my current go-to, but “LessWrong participants” is more precise.
[note: yes, that first question is intended to both be a dig at some assumptions AND as a pithy restatement of the primary question of community.]
The difference between people who I would call ratioanlists and “Philosophical techno-nerds” in general is that for rationalists their rationality actually affects the way they act. Rationalists do a lot more sport then your average “philosophical techno-nerd”.
Heh. We may know different slices of those who identify as Rationalists and those we’re calling Philosophical techno-nerds. I agree that there’s probably only about 80% overlap, but I’d say the variance in rigor and in behavior is pretty close to the same in the two groups, just with a wider variety of topics that can be too-narrowly analyzed in the PTNs.
I don’t use it either (obviously, why would I use a term I actively dislike), so this question is actually aimed at the people who do. But saying ‘You should stop calling yourself a rationalist’ is coming on way too strong and I generally try to be nice. Since you already don’t use it you’re not really the target audience, but thanks for commenting anyway because if the term is actually only used by a minority, having that pointed out to them might help retire the term.
Who’s “we”?
I don’t use the term, and don’t generally refer to the groups it might describe. When I need to describe something, I try to consider the specifics of what I’m trying to convey, and to whom—almost always there are better terms for whatever is under discussion. “philosophical techno-nerds” is my current go-to, but “LessWrong participants” is more precise.
[note: yes, that first question is intended to both be a dig at some assumptions AND as a pithy restatement of the primary question of community.]
The difference between people who I would call ratioanlists and “Philosophical techno-nerds” in general is that for rationalists their rationality actually affects the way they act. Rationalists do a lot more sport then your average “philosophical techno-nerd”.
Heh. We may know different slices of those who identify as Rationalists and those we’re calling Philosophical techno-nerds. I agree that there’s probably only about 80% overlap, but I’d say the variance in rigor and in behavior is pretty close to the same in the two groups, just with a wider variety of topics that can be too-narrowly analyzed in the PTNs.
I don’t use it either (obviously, why would I use a term I actively dislike), so this question is actually aimed at the people who do. But saying ‘You should stop calling yourself a rationalist’ is coming on way too strong and I generally try to be nice. Since you already don’t use it you’re not really the target audience, but thanks for commenting anyway because if the term is actually only used by a minority, having that pointed out to them might help retire the term.