One thing that might be cofounding it slightly is that (depending on the target) the reward for actually taking home targets might not be LW karma but something real. So the “I have the head” only gives 40 karma. But the “head” might well also be worth something in the real world, like if its some AI code toy example that does something cool it might lead to a new job. Or if its something more esoteric like “meditation technique improves performance at work” then you get the performance boost.
Data point: my journeyman posts on inconclusive lit reviews get 40-70 karma (unless I make a big claim and then retract it. Those both got great numbers). But I am frequently approached to do lit reviews, and I have to assume the boring posts no one comments on contribute to the reputation that attracts those.
I certainly see where you are coming from.
One thing that might be cofounding it slightly is that (depending on the target) the reward for actually taking home targets might not be LW karma but something real. So the “I have the head” only gives 40 karma. But the “head” might well also be worth something in the real world, like if its some AI code toy example that does something cool it might lead to a new job. Or if its something more esoteric like “meditation technique improves performance at work” then you get the performance boost.
Data point: my journeyman posts on inconclusive lit reviews get 40-70 karma (unless I make a big claim and then retract it. Those both got great numbers). But I am frequently approached to do lit reviews, and I have to assume the boring posts no one comments on contribute to the reputation that attracts those.