Organizations don’t suffer pathologies; they are intrinsically pathological constructs. Idealized organizations are not perfect. They are perfectly pathological.
I’m interested to find that you read ribbonfarm.com, since along with lesswrong it’s one of my two most-visited blogs.
I sometimes think Venkatash’s way of thinking might be on a level above that of many of the posts here. As an engineer he seems to have internalized the scientific/rationalist way of thinking, but he’s combined that with a metaphorical/narrative/artistic way of looking at the world. When it works well, it works really well. What do other people think?
Among my favorites as well! Venkat and Eliezer’s recommendations currently dominate my reading queue, and I’d be hard-pressed to pick which of their books I’m more eagerly anticipating.
Venkat’s observations about group decision making and organizational dynamics are a big part of what made me write this proposal (which I’ve procrastinated following up on due to being uncertain how to proceed).
There’s definitely some interesting contrast between Venkat and Eliezer’s views/styles/goals. A Blogging Heads episode could be fascinating!
-- http://www.ribbonfarm.com/2009/10/07/the-gervais-principle-or-the-office-according-to-the-office/
I’m interested to find that you read ribbonfarm.com, since along with lesswrong it’s one of my two most-visited blogs.
I sometimes think Venkatash’s way of thinking might be on a level above that of many of the posts here. As an engineer he seems to have internalized the scientific/rationalist way of thinking, but he’s combined that with a metaphorical/narrative/artistic way of looking at the world. When it works well, it works really well. What do other people think?
Interestingly, he has PhD in an AI-related field (specifically, control theory), but thinks the Singularity is unlikely to happen: http://www.ribbonfarm.com/2010/01/28/the-misanthropes-guide-to-the-end-of-the-world/
Another article that might contradict a common belief of this community: http://www.ribbonfarm.com/2010/09/28/learning-from-one-data-point/
Anyway, certainly a blog I’d recommend to lesswrongers.
Erm, sorry, I was just linked there or Googled there or something, don’t read it on a regular basis.
Among my favorites as well! Venkat and Eliezer’s recommendations currently dominate my reading queue, and I’d be hard-pressed to pick which of their books I’m more eagerly anticipating.
Venkat’s observations about group decision making and organizational dynamics are a big part of what made me write this proposal (which I’ve procrastinated following up on due to being uncertain how to proceed).
There’s definitely some interesting contrast between Venkat and Eliezer’s views/styles/goals. A Blogging Heads episode could be fascinating!