and nobody else ever seems to do anything useful as a result of such fights
I would guess a large fraction of the potential value of debating these things comes from its impact on people who aren’t the main proponents of the research program, but are observers deciding on their own direction.
Is that priced in to the feeling that the debates don’t lead anywhere useful?
I would guess a large fraction of the potential value of debating these things comes from its impact on people who aren’t the main proponents of the research program, but are observers deciding on their own direction.
Is that priced in to the feeling that the debates don’t lead anywhere useful?
It’s usually the case that online conversations aren’t for persuading the person you’re talking to, they’re for affecting the beliefs of onlookers.
That’s where most of the uncertainty is, I’m not sure how best to price it in (though my gut has priced in some estimate).
Helps me decide which research to focus on