I’m not sure what’ll end up settling with for “regular Open Threads” vs shortform. Open Threads predate shortform, but didn’t create the particular feeling of a person-space like shortform does, so it seemed useful to add shortform. I’m not sure if Open Threads still provide a particular service that shortform doesn’t provide.
In _this_ case, however, I think the Alignment Open Thread servers a bit of a different purpose – it’s a place to spark low-key conversation between AF members. (Non-AF members can comment on LessWrong, but I think it’s valuable that AF members who prefer AF to LessWrong can show up on alignmentforum.org and see some conversation that’s easy to jump into)
For your own comments: the subtle difference is that open threads are more like a market square where you can show up and start talking to strangers, and shortform is more like a conversation in your living room. If you have a preference for one of those subtle distinctions, do that I guess, and if not… dunno, flip a coin I guess. :P
Actually, now I’m confused. I just posted a shortform, but I don’t see where it appears on the main page? There is “AI Alignment Posts” which only includes the “longforms” and there is “recent discussion” which only includes the comments. Does it mean nobody sees the shortform unless they open my profile?
...the subtle difference is that open threads are more like a market square where you can show up and start talking to strangers, and shortform is more like a conversation in your living room.
Hmm, this seems like an informal cultural difference that isn’t really enforced by the format. Technically, people can comment on the shortform as easily as on open thread comments. So, I am not entirely sure whether everyone perceive it this way (and will continue to perceive it this way).
There actually is an important difference, which is that you get to set the moderation norms on your shortform posts (and can ban people from commenting if need be). But, indeed, I would agree most of the difference is informal-cultural.
I’m not sure what’ll end up settling with for “regular Open Threads” vs shortform. Open Threads predate shortform, but didn’t create the particular feeling of a person-space like shortform does, so it seemed useful to add shortform. I’m not sure if Open Threads still provide a particular service that shortform doesn’t provide.
In _this_ case, however, I think the Alignment Open Thread servers a bit of a different purpose – it’s a place to spark low-key conversation between AF members. (Non-AF members can comment on LessWrong, but I think it’s valuable that AF members who prefer AF to LessWrong can show up on alignmentforum.org and see some conversation that’s easy to jump into)
For your own comments: the subtle difference is that open threads are more like a market square where you can show up and start talking to strangers, and shortform is more like a conversation in your living room. If you have a preference for one of those subtle distinctions, do that I guess, and if not… dunno, flip a coin I guess. :P
Actually, now I’m confused. I just posted a shortform, but I don’t see where it appears on the main page? There is “AI Alignment Posts” which only includes the “longforms” and there is “recent discussion” which only includes the comments. Does it mean nobody sees the shortform unless they open my profile?
Hmm, this seems like an informal cultural difference that isn’t really enforced by the format. Technically, people can comment on the shortform as easily as on open thread comments. So, I am not entirely sure whether everyone perceive it this way (and will continue to perceive it this way).
There actually is an important difference, which is that you get to set the moderation norms on your shortform posts (and can ban people from commenting if need be). But, indeed, I would agree most of the difference is informal-cultural.