I can’t help suspecting that Eliezer’s suggestion that no one should talk about AI, technological singularities, etc., until May was motivated not only by wanting to keep LW undistracted until then, but also by wanting to encourage discussion of those topics afterwards. (He has been quite open about his hope that all his writings on rationality, etc., will have the effect of increasing support for SIAI.)
Whether that’s a reason for talking about those topics (yay, Eliezer will be pleased, and Eliezer is a good chap) or a reason for not talking about them (eeew, he’s trying to manipulate us) will doubtless vary from person to person.
I think it was so that newcomers wouldn’t think that LW are a bunch of fringe technophiles that just want to have their cause associated with rationality.
But that’s pretty much what LW is, no? I’ve long suspected that “rationality,” as discussed here, was a bit of a ruse designed to insinuate a (misleading) necessary connection between being rational and supporting transhumanist ideals.
But that’s pretty much what Christianity is, no? I’ve long suspected that “faith,” as discussed there, was a bit of a ruse designed to insinuate a necessary connection between being eating other animals and supporting childish ideals.
I can’t help suspecting that Eliezer’s suggestion that no one should talk about AI, technological singularities, etc., until May was motivated not only by wanting to keep LW undistracted until then, but also by wanting to encourage discussion of those topics afterwards. (He has been quite open about his hope that all his writings on rationality, etc., will have the effect of increasing support for SIAI.)
Whether that’s a reason for talking about those topics (yay, Eliezer will be pleased, and Eliezer is a good chap) or a reason for not talking about them (eeew, he’s trying to manipulate us) will doubtless vary from person to person.
I think it was so that newcomers wouldn’t think that LW are a bunch of fringe technophiles that just want to have their cause associated with rationality.
But wouldn’t the site’s earliest days be the time of least newcomers?
But that’s pretty much what LW is, no? I’ve long suspected that “rationality,” as discussed here, was a bit of a ruse designed to insinuate a (misleading) necessary connection between being rational and supporting transhumanist ideals.
But that’s pretty much what Christianity is, no? I’ve long suspected that “faith,” as discussed there, was a bit of a ruse designed to insinuate a necessary connection between being eating other animals and supporting childish ideals.
I get that you’re being sarcastic, but I’m not sure what you’re driving at.
I get that you’re being annoying, but I’m not sure what you’re aiming at.