I think there’s a strong impulse in many people here to idolize Eliezer, I know for myself that he’s one of the only persons, if not the only one, who manages to really awe me. The questions would be, does that go against the objective of building a rationalist community, do we want that community to begin with, and if the answer to those is yes, twice, then, what can we do, as aspiring rational gentlemen, to do better than so many failed communities that fell for X or Y such as cultish-ness or whatnot ?
I think we have our chance, and, like, a sense that more is indeed possible, regardless of what Eliezer or anyone else said.
Ditto for the karmasystem, it has much potential to degenerate into a vain collection of E-status.
The fact that his post “Don’t Believe You’ll Self-Deceive” currently holds only 3 points of Karma (it was made 6 days ago) is strong evidence that Eliezer isn’t as blindly worshiped as it may seem. It was a weak post, and the rating reflects that well.
I comment. People read. They vote up, I win, it must be looking like I’m rational (which is a good thing in a rationalist community). My status gets better. I like status, don’t you ?
At karma 20, I win even further, as I can post my own articles. Why shouldn’t I post as many comments as possible, to get there as soon as possible ? Like, in replying to my own comment, rather than editing it ? Or posting something pretty obvious wherever I can, even though it won’t significantly add anything ?
I am voted up or down, you see this, your own vote will be influenced (anchored).
I am amongst the first people to comment, others have more time to vote me up or down, amplifying the initial effect of the combined quality of my post and the biases of those judging it.
I comment later, quite a few people won’t bother sifting through 90 comments most of which they have been reading already, my post won’t be noticed.
That’s what I can think of on top of my head, pretty sure there’s more.
How can you object to the karma system when it isn’t explained anywhere? Until it is, it’s just mysterious numbers.
Someone figured out General Relativity without being given an explaination. I figured out the Karma system as well as give a reasonable interpretation of how it impacts me personally and the community in general.
I have all the information needed to object, were I so inclined.
I think there’s a strong impulse in many people here to idolize Eliezer, I know for myself that he’s one of the only persons, if not the only one, who manages to really awe me. The questions would be, does that go against the objective of building a rationalist community, do we want that community to begin with, and if the answer to those is yes, twice, then, what can we do, as aspiring rational gentlemen, to do better than so many failed communities that fell for X or Y such as cultish-ness or whatnot ?
I think we have our chance, and, like, a sense that more is indeed possible, regardless of what Eliezer or anyone else said.
Ditto for the karmasystem, it has much potential to degenerate into a vain collection of E-status.
I’m 25 too btw.
The fact that his post “Don’t Believe You’ll Self-Deceive” currently holds only 3 points of Karma (it was made 6 days ago) is strong evidence that Eliezer isn’t as blindly worshiped as it may seem. It was a weak post, and the rating reflects that well.
The opposite can be happening too, people may be over critical of EY
How can you object to the karma system when it isn’t explained anywhere? Until it is, it’s just mysterious numbers.
Give us a LR FAQ on karma, please.
I comment. People read. They vote up, I win, it must be looking like I’m rational (which is a good thing in a rationalist community). My status gets better. I like status, don’t you ?
At karma 20, I win even further, as I can post my own articles. Why shouldn’t I post as many comments as possible, to get there as soon as possible ? Like, in replying to my own comment, rather than editing it ? Or posting something pretty obvious wherever I can, even though it won’t significantly add anything ?
I am voted up or down, you see this, your own vote will be influenced (anchored).
I am amongst the first people to comment, others have more time to vote me up or down, amplifying the initial effect of the combined quality of my post and the biases of those judging it.
I comment later, quite a few people won’t bother sifting through 90 comments most of which they have been reading already, my post won’t be noticed.
That’s what I can think of on top of my head, pretty sure there’s more.
Do the benefits outweigh the costs?
This seems like the relevant question.
I strongly suspect the karma system is “very similar” to reddit’s karma system.
Plus, you know, LW is open source, so if you were really curious, you could find out exactly how it works.
Someone figured out General Relativity without being given an explaination. I figured out the Karma system as well as give a reasonable interpretation of how it impacts me personally and the community in general.
I have all the information needed to object, were I so inclined.