Casual rationalist-adjacent here (I’ve been reading LW for over a year, but this is my first post). I also very much agree (and with the parent comment too). I only want to add that in my experience weird jargon—even the kind that doesn’t obscure communication—is a large part of why people find the community impenetrable. I don’t necessarily mean major concepts from the Sequences, which serve a clear purpose of condensing and which everyone who sticks around long enough should know regardless.
But more subtle jargon, even phrases as simple as “level up dealcraft” (and sdr, I don’t mean to single you out—I could take an example from anywhere—your post is just the most immediate) as opposed to, say, “improve negotiating skills.” Sure, the meaning of is discernible from the context—almost everyone would grasp the meaning—but the wording will isolate a lot of people.
Casual rationalist-adjacent here (I’ve been reading LW for over a year, but this is my first post). I also very much agree (and with the parent comment too). I only want to add that in my experience weird jargon—even the kind that doesn’t obscure communication—is a large part of why people find the community impenetrable. I don’t necessarily mean major concepts from the Sequences, which serve a clear purpose of condensing and which everyone who sticks around long enough should know regardless.
But more subtle jargon, even phrases as simple as “level up dealcraft” (and sdr, I don’t mean to single you out—I could take an example from anywhere—your post is just the most immediate) as opposed to, say, “improve negotiating skills.” Sure, the meaning of is discernible from the context—almost everyone would grasp the meaning—but the wording will isolate a lot of people.