What are rationalist heroes supposed to do? And what can “sidekicks” do to help them?
(I ask these questions as someone who’s not that familiar with the rationalist community. I asked them on the Effective Altruism Forum and there was some discussion of them there.)
I’m looking for specific examples, particular ones which aren’t already being done and so are available for new heroes to take on.
Ryan Carey said “A hero means roughly what you’d expect—someone who takes personal responsibility for solving world problems. Kind of like an effective altruist.” He quoted this passage from HPMOR:
You could call it heroic responsibility, maybe,” Harry Potter said. “Not like the usual sort. It means that whatever happens, no matter what, it’s always your fault. Even if you tell Professor McGonagall, she’s not responsible for what happens, you are. Following the school rules isn’t an excuse, someone else being in charge isn’t an excuse, even trying your best isn’t an excuse. There just aren’t any excuses, you’ve got to get the job done no matter what.” Harry’s face tightened. “That’s why I say you’re not thinking responsibly, Hermione. Thinking that your job is done when you tell Professor McGonagall—that isn’t heroine thinking. Like Hannah being beat up is okay then, because it isn’t your fault anymore. Being a heroine means your job isn’t finished until you’ve done whatever it takes to protect the other girls, permanently.” In Harry’s voice was a touch of the steel he had acquired since the day Fawkes had been on his shoulder. “You can’t think as if just following the rules means you’ve done your duty. –HPMOR, chapter 75.
But in that case doesn’t the sort of “sidekick” that Miranda describes count as a hero, because being a sidekick is plausibly one of the best ways that they can contribute to solving the world’s problems?
To do whatever they were doing before, just better.
‘Before enlightenment, chop wood carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood carry water’ - as a Zen proverb goes.
Consider Mitsyo Maeda, the glob-troting father of brazilian jujitsu and allegedly toughest man who ever lived’s book. He believed you should keep fights in the phase your best at. If you’re good at fighting on the ground, get your opponent on the ground and keep him there.
Then post for badass photos. That’s an obvious and crude but rationalist approach to things. He was successful. I saw that qualifies for rationalist (‘super’)hero.
What are rationalist heroes supposed to do? And what can “sidekicks” do to help them?
I think founding CFAR was an example; there are both leader and sidekick roles there.
But in that case doesn’t the sort of “sidekick” that Miranda describes count as a hero, because being a sidekick is plausibly one of the best ways that they can contribute to solving the world’s problems?
What are rationalist heroes supposed to do? And what can “sidekicks” do to help them?
(I ask these questions as someone who’s not that familiar with the rationalist community. I asked them on the Effective Altruism Forum and there was some discussion of them there.)
I’m looking for specific examples, particular ones which aren’t already being done and so are available for new heroes to take on.
Ryan Carey said “A hero means roughly what you’d expect—someone who takes personal responsibility for solving world problems. Kind of like an effective altruist.” He quoted this passage from HPMOR:
But in that case doesn’t the sort of “sidekick” that Miranda describes count as a hero, because being a sidekick is plausibly one of the best ways that they can contribute to solving the world’s problems?
To do whatever they were doing before, just better.
‘Before enlightenment, chop wood carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood carry water’ - as a Zen proverb goes.
Consider Mitsyo Maeda, the glob-troting father of brazilian jujitsu and allegedly toughest man who ever lived’s book. He believed you should keep fights in the phase your best at. If you’re good at fighting on the ground, get your opponent on the ground and keep him there.
Then post for badass photos. That’s an obvious and crude but rationalist approach to things. He was successful. I saw that qualifies for rationalist (‘super’)hero.
I think founding CFAR was an example; there are both leader and sidekick roles there.
Maybe.