Although I don’t know if many/most of the lurkers have waded all the way through the current version of the FAQ, some of them may believe they need to read all of the sequences before they post because the FAQ says they do. In fact, the FAQ suggests reading the sequences before even reading Less Wrong:
Do I have to read the sequences before reading Less Wrong?
We can’t force you, but it would be by far the best use of your time.
Do I have to read the sequences before posting on Less Wrong?
Again, we can’t force you, but if your post involves topics that were already covered in the sequences, or makes mistakes that were warned against in the sequences, you’ll probably be downvoted and directed to the sequence in question.
This is a pretty high barrier to entry. I agree that we should encourage reading the sequences, but should we phrase it in another way so that we still welcome participation?
Maybe there is a way for new readers to ask for advice on what particular portions of the sequences would be most helpful for them to read in order to be able to contribute good comments/posts in their particular areas of interest.
edit: the FAQ is undergoing revisions as I write, and the language in the current version is somewhat more welcoming. But it’s still worth discussing how high we should set the barrier to entry.
This is a pretty high barrier to entry. I agree that we should encourage reading the sequences, but should we phrase it in another way so that we still welcome participation?
I think that barrier is about right. We do welcome participation, but only from people who have taken the trouble to find out, from the material we direct them to, what we’re about.
I’ve seen similar language on several technical discussion forums: people are asked to read the FAQs and not to retread old ground.
I have also seen similar language on other sites, but the the sequences are a lot longer than what I have seen other sites asking new visitors to read.
I had read OB when EY still used to blog there, so I read a lot of the sequences at that time. Stretched out over time like that, they don’t seem as long. But for a brand new visitor, the sheer volume is somewhat daunting. That’s why I think more nuanced suggestions, perhaps like Jack suggests here, might make sense.
Although I don’t know if many/most of the lurkers have waded all the way through the current version of the FAQ, some of them may believe they need to read all of the sequences before they post because the FAQ says they do. In fact, the FAQ suggests reading the sequences before even reading Less Wrong:
This is a pretty high barrier to entry. I agree that we should encourage reading the sequences, but should we phrase it in another way so that we still welcome participation?
Maybe there is a way for new readers to ask for advice on what particular portions of the sequences would be most helpful for them to read in order to be able to contribute good comments/posts in their particular areas of interest.
edit: the FAQ is undergoing revisions as I write, and the language in the current version is somewhat more welcoming. But it’s still worth discussing how high we should set the barrier to entry.
I think that barrier is about right. We do welcome participation, but only from people who have taken the trouble to find out, from the material we direct them to, what we’re about.
I’ve seen similar language on several technical discussion forums: people are asked to read the FAQs and not to retread old ground.
I have also seen similar language on other sites, but the the sequences are a lot longer than what I have seen other sites asking new visitors to read.
I had read OB when EY still used to blog there, so I read a lot of the sequences at that time. Stretched out over time like that, they don’t seem as long. But for a brand new visitor, the sheer volume is somewhat daunting. That’s why I think more nuanced suggestions, perhaps like Jack suggests here, might make sense.