I haven’t seen examples of Yudkowsky-hatred. But I have regularly seen people ridicule him
Ditto.
I know of a lot of very smart people (ok, less than 10, but still, more than 1) who essentially read Eliezer’s AI writings as a form of entertainment, and don’t take them even slightly seriously. This is partly because of the Absurdity Heuristic, but I think it’s also because of Eliezer’s writing style, and statements like the one in the initial post.
I personally fall somewhere between these people and, say, someone who has spent a summer at the SIAI on the ‘taking Eliezer seriously’ scale—I think he (and the others) probably have a point, and I at least know that they intend to be taken seriously, but I’ve never gotten round to doing anything about it.
Ditto.
I know of a lot of very smart people (ok, less than 10, but still, more than 1) who essentially read Eliezer’s AI writings as a form of entertainment, and don’t take them even slightly seriously. This is partly because of the Absurdity Heuristic, but I think it’s also because of Eliezer’s writing style, and statements like the one in the initial post.
I personally fall somewhere between these people and, say, someone who has spent a summer at the SIAI on the ‘taking Eliezer seriously’ scale—I think he (and the others) probably have a point, and I at least know that they intend to be taken seriously, but I’ve never gotten round to doing anything about it.
Why do they find them entertaining?
As XiXiDu says—pretty much the same reason they find Isaac Asimov entertaining.
I said the same before. It’s mainly good science fiction. I’m trying to find out if there’s more to it though.
Just saying this as evidence that there is a lot doubt even within the LW community.