It saddens me a bit to see so little LW commenter engagement (both with this post, and with Orthogonal’s research agenda in general. I think this is because they’re the sort of posts that feel like you’re supposed to be engaging with the object-level content in a sophisticated way, and the barrier to entry for that is quite high. Without having much to add about the object-level content of the research agenda, I would like to say: This flavor of research is something the world desperately needs more of. Carado’s earlier posts and I few conversations I’ve had left me with a positive impression, and I believe those posts about it are a sufficient work product to prove they’re worth funding.
I initially dismissed Orthogonal due to a guess that their worldview was too similar to MIRI’s, and that they would give up or reach a dead end for reasons similar to why MIRI hasn’t made much progress.
Now that I’ve read their more important posts, I’m more confused.
I still think Orthogonal has a pretty low chance of making a difference, but there’s enough that’s unique about their ideas to be worth pursuing. I’ve donated $15k to Orthogonal.
It saddens me a bit to see so little LW commenter engagement (both with this post, and with Orthogonal’s research agenda in general. I think this is because they’re the sort of posts that feel like you’re supposed to be engaging with the object-level content in a sophisticated way, and the barrier to entry for that is quite high. Without having much to add about the object-level content of the research agenda, I would like to say: This flavor of research is something the world desperately needs more of. Carado’s earlier posts and I few conversations I’ve had left me with a positive impression, and I believe those posts about it are a sufficient work product to prove they’re worth funding.
I initially dismissed Orthogonal due to a guess that their worldview was too similar to MIRI’s, and that they would give up or reach a dead end for reasons similar to why MIRI hasn’t made much progress.
Then the gears to ascension prodded me to take a closer look.
Now that I’ve read their more important posts, I’m more confused.
I still think Orthogonal has a pretty low chance of making a difference, but there’s enough that’s unique about their ideas to be worth pursuing. I’ve donated $15k to Orthogonal.