No, I’m not from US. But I read internet, so I am probably aware of some things.
it’s rather telling that the threats were made and discussed seriously.
And they achieved zero success. Because this is Sparta… ahem, Less Wrong.
And if they tried the same thing next time, there even wouldn’t be so much drama again, because we are already inoculated. “There are more nerd boys than nerd girls, therefore nerds are sexists!” Yeah, already heard it, not impressed.
numerous high profile cases of people losing their jobs/status/property for Thoughtcrime
This deserves a longer debate (and LW is probably not the right place to have it) about specific details. I would guess that in most of these cases, those people were thrown overboard by their colleagues, in an effort to protect money from government or wide public. Less Wrong does not take government money, and our public supporters are mostly contrarians by nature. In other words, we are not a university, and we cannot be destroyed by a Twitter campaign.
Most importantly, I don’t believe Eliezer would jump on a political correctness bandwagon. Also, there are already many “shocking” news about LW (basilisk, polyamory, etc.); it would be too late to try a PR coverup.
I would guess that in most of these cases, those people were thrown overboard by their colleagues, in an effort to protect money from government or wide public.
Yes. People cave. Much easier for everyone to throw someone to the mob than to fight. That’s the magic of people who mean it. Small groups of motivated people who mean it can easily cow larger groups who don’t want a fight.
Most importantly, I don’t believe Eliezer would jump on a political correctness bandwagon.
If he has meant at all what he has said about UFAI, he’ll turn over the keys of LessWrong to the Thought Police in a second if it further the efforts for FAI, for much the same reasons that everyone else caves.
I began to weigh those who followed me, balancing
them one against another, asking who I would risk, and who I would
sacrifice, to what end. It was strange how many fewer pieces I lost, once
I knew what they were worth.
Even a small, motivated group can destroy value. Everyone caves, unless they’re equally looney.
No, I’m not from US. But I read internet, so I am probably aware of some things.
And they achieved zero success. Because this is Sparta… ahem, Less Wrong.
And if they tried the same thing next time, there even wouldn’t be so much drama again, because we are already inoculated. “There are more nerd boys than nerd girls, therefore nerds are sexists!” Yeah, already heard it, not impressed.
This deserves a longer debate (and LW is probably not the right place to have it) about specific details. I would guess that in most of these cases, those people were thrown overboard by their colleagues, in an effort to protect money from government or wide public. Less Wrong does not take government money, and our public supporters are mostly contrarians by nature. In other words, we are not a university, and we cannot be destroyed by a Twitter campaign.
Most importantly, I don’t believe Eliezer would jump on a political correctness bandwagon. Also, there are already many “shocking” news about LW (basilisk, polyamory, etc.); it would be too late to try a PR coverup.
Well...
(I agree with the rest of your comment.)
I think many would not characterize that action as jumping on the political correctness bandwagon.
Yes. People cave. Much easier for everyone to throw someone to the mob than to fight. That’s the magic of people who mean it. Small groups of motivated people who mean it can easily cow larger groups who don’t want a fight.
If he has meant at all what he has said about UFAI, he’ll turn over the keys of LessWrong to the Thought Police in a second if it further the efforts for FAI, for much the same reasons that everyone else caves.
Even a small, motivated group can destroy value. Everyone caves, unless they’re equally looney.