Do we have a “How Have You Helped Save the World” thread and, if not, why not?
We have the Group Rationality Diary, which is very useful for personal accountability, and the Bragging Thread, which helps encourage brag-worthy behaviors, but as far as I am aware, we do not have a “How You’ve Helped Save the World” thread.
Does this seem useful? A way to encourage people to recognize how their actions make the world a better place. Not every post need be about “invented friendly AI,” “cured an illness,” “created a new math.” It could be something as simple as “fed a homeless person,” “helped someone overcome a bad habit,” “went to a CFAR workshop.” Just as long as the action is a real step towards improving the world and fixing real problems.
Maybe this isn’t a worthwhile thing, but I’d like to hear others’ opinions on it.
The bragging thread encourages a focus on personal accomplishments and personal improvement. It becomes easy to assume that the only things of worth are self-focused actions. Not a bad thing when you want to focus on self-improvement, but it does not demonstrate any connection with saving the world at large. A “Saving the World” thread encourages considering large scale actions and effects.
At least this is my opinion. As Christian said, we would just have to see what the reception is. Might be unnecessary, might be helpful.
Do we have a “How Have You Helped Save the World” thread and, if not, why not?
We have the Group Rationality Diary, which is very useful for personal accountability, and the Bragging Thread, which helps encourage brag-worthy behaviors, but as far as I am aware, we do not have a “How You’ve Helped Save the World” thread.
Does this seem useful? A way to encourage people to recognize how their actions make the world a better place. Not every post need be about “invented friendly AI,” “cured an illness,” “created a new math.” It could be something as simple as “fed a homeless person,” “helped someone overcome a bad habit,” “went to a CFAR workshop.” Just as long as the action is a real step towards improving the world and fixing real problems.
Maybe this isn’t a worthwhile thing, but I’d like to hear others’ opinions on it.
I think there little cost to starting such a thread. Afterwards you can see whether the thread produces useful discussion.
I would put such things in the bragging thread—why the separation?
The bragging thread encourages a focus on personal accomplishments and personal improvement. It becomes easy to assume that the only things of worth are self-focused actions. Not a bad thing when you want to focus on self-improvement, but it does not demonstrate any connection with saving the world at large. A “Saving the World” thread encourages considering large scale actions and effects.
At least this is my opinion. As Christian said, we would just have to see what the reception is. Might be unnecessary, might be helpful.