As one data point, my father has been retired for 7 years. He got a PhD in physics and then became a software engineer after deciding he didn’t really enjoy research. He’s interested in LessWrong-y topics like rationality, optimal philanthropy, and some of the areas of philosophy that are often discussed here. He’s read and enjoyed some of the articles I’ve linked him to on LessWrong. He should be a shoe-in, right?
But he didn’t grow up in a time when online communities were a thing. They’re just not part of his life and he has no interest in joining one.
Yeah, I realized that while writing it. You’re right—I don’t know for sure that he has no interest at all. Although it is true that he hasn’t made an account here despite reading and enjoying some posts here.
I have also never heard him mention any other online communities, and I talk to him often enough that I’d expect it to come up.
I think you may be underestimating the amount of gentle hand-holding necessary for someone to develop an affordance, and think it might be worth seriously presenting it to him as a potential hobby.
As one data point, my father has been retired for 7 years. He got a PhD in physics and then became a software engineer after deciding he didn’t really enjoy research. He’s interested in LessWrong-y topics like rationality, optimal philanthropy, and some of the areas of philosophy that are often discussed here. He’s read and enjoyed some of the articles I’ve linked him to on LessWrong. He should be a shoe-in, right?
But he didn’t grow up in a time when online communities were a thing. They’re just not part of his life and he has no interest in joining one.
Just curious: do you know he has no interest, or do you assume he has no interest?
Yeah, I realized that while writing it. You’re right—I don’t know for sure that he has no interest at all. Although it is true that he hasn’t made an account here despite reading and enjoying some posts here.
I have also never heard him mention any other online communities, and I talk to him often enough that I’d expect it to come up.
I think you may be underestimating the amount of gentle hand-holding necessary for someone to develop an affordance, and think it might be worth seriously presenting it to him as a potential hobby.