You get karma mostly for contributing more, not by higher quality. Posts and comments both have positive expected karma.
Yes, I’ve noticed this; it seems like there’s a danger of there being an illusion that one is that one is actually getting something done by posting or commenting on LW on account of collecting karma by default.
On the upside I think that the net value of LW is positive so that (taking the outside view; ignoring the quality of particular posts/comments which is highly variable), the expected value of posts and comments is positive though probably less than one subjectively feels.
Also you get more karma for more alignment with groupthink [...]
Yes; I’ve noticed this too. A few months ago I came across Robin Hanson’s Most Rationalists Are Elsewhere which is in similar spirit.
This unfortunately means that one needs to put a lot more effort into writing something that disagrees with groupthink than something that agrees with it—and such trivial inconveniences matter.
Agree here. In defense of LW I would say that this seems like a pretty generic feature across groups in general. I myself try to be careful about interpreting statements made by those with views that clash with my own charitably but don’t know how well I succeed.
I mostly write when I disagree with someone, so for a change (I don’t hate everyone all the time, honestly :-p)
Good to know :-)
Twilight fanfiction by Alicorn—it is ridiculously good, I guess a lot of people will avoid it because it’s Twilight, but it would be a horrible mistake.
Fascinating; I had avoided it for this very reason but will plan on checking it out.
Agree here. In defense of LW I would say that this seems like a pretty generic feature across groups in general. I myself try to be careful about interpreting statements made by those with views that clash with my own charitably but don’t know how well I succeed.
I don’t consider LW particularly bad—it seems considerably saner than a typical internet forum of similar size. Level of drama seems a lot lower than is typical. Is my impression right that most of drama we get centers about obscure FAI stuff? I tend to ignore these posts unless I feel really bored. I’ve seen some drama about gender and politics, but honestly a lot less that these subject normally attract on other similar places.
I don’t consider LW particularly bad—it seems considerably saner than a typical internet forum of similar size.
I have a similar impression.
LW was the first internet forum that I had serious exposure to. I initially thought that I had stumbled onto a very bizarre cult. I complained about this to various friends and they said “no, no, the whole internet is like this!” After hearing this from enough people and perusing the internet some more I realized that they were right. Further contemplation and experience made me realize that it wasn’t only people on the internet who exhibit high levels of group think & strong ideological agendas; rather this is very common among humans in general! Real life interactions mask over the effects of group think & ideological agendas. I was then amazed at how oblivious I had been up until I learned about these things. All of this has been a cathartic and life-changing.
Is my impression right that most of drama we get centers about obscure FAI stuff?
Not sure, I don’t really pay enough attention. As a rule, I avoid drama in general on account of lack of interest in the arguments being made on either side. The things that I’ve noticed most are those connected with gender wars and with Roko’s post being banned. Then of course there were my own controversial posts back in August.
I’ve seen some drama about gender and politics, but honestly a lot less that these subject normally attract on other similar places.
The things that I’ve noticed most are those connected with gender wars and with Roko being banned
In the interest of avoiding the spread of false ideas, it should be pointed out that Roko was not banned; rather his post was “banned” (jargon for actually deleted, as opposed to “deleted”, which merely means removed from the various “feeds” (“New”, the user’s overview, etc)). Roko himself then proceded to delete (in the ordinary way) all his other posts and comments.
Yes, I’ve noticed this; it seems like there’s a danger of there being an illusion that one is that one is actually getting something done by posting or commenting on LW on account of collecting karma by default.
On the upside I think that the net value of LW is positive so that (taking the outside view; ignoring the quality of particular posts/comments which is highly variable), the expected value of posts and comments is positive though probably less than one subjectively feels.
Yes; I’ve noticed this too. A few months ago I came across Robin Hanson’s Most Rationalists Are Elsewhere which is in similar spirit.
Agree here. In defense of LW I would say that this seems like a pretty generic feature across groups in general. I myself try to be careful about interpreting statements made by those with views that clash with my own charitably but don’t know how well I succeed.
Good to know :-)
Fascinating; I had avoided it for this very reason but will plan on checking it out.
Great article! I hadn’t seen it before.
I don’t consider LW particularly bad—it seems considerably saner than a typical internet forum of similar size. Level of drama seems a lot lower than is typical. Is my impression right that most of drama we get centers about obscure FAI stuff? I tend to ignore these posts unless I feel really bored. I’ve seen some drama about gender and politics, but honestly a lot less that these subject normally attract on other similar places.
I have a similar impression.
LW was the first internet forum that I had serious exposure to. I initially thought that I had stumbled onto a very bizarre cult. I complained about this to various friends and they said “no, no, the whole internet is like this!” After hearing this from enough people and perusing the internet some more I realized that they were right. Further contemplation and experience made me realize that it wasn’t only people on the internet who exhibit high levels of group think & strong ideological agendas; rather this is very common among humans in general! Real life interactions mask over the effects of group think & ideological agendas. I was then amazed at how oblivious I had been up until I learned about these things. All of this has been a cathartic and life-changing.
Not sure, I don’t really pay enough attention. As a rule, I avoid drama in general on account of lack of interest in the arguments being made on either side. The things that I’ve noticed most are those connected with gender wars and with Roko’s post being banned. Then of course there were my own controversial posts back in August.
Sounds about right.
In the interest of avoiding the spread of false ideas, it should be pointed out that Roko was not banned; rather his post was “banned” (jargon for actually deleted, as opposed to “deleted”, which merely means removed from the various “feeds” (“New”, the user’s overview, etc)). Roko himself then proceded to delete (in the ordinary way) all his other posts and comments.
Good point; taw and I both know this but others may not; grandparent corrected accordingly.