I’m about to go to sleep but I am a bit confused about Epstein stuff.
In 2019, @Rob Bensinger said that “Epstein had previously approached us in 2016 looking for organizations to donate to, and we decided against pursuing the option;”
Looking at the Justice Dept releases (which I assume are real) (eg https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00814059.pdf)
That doesn’t feel a super accurate description. It seems like there was a discussion with Epstein after it was clear he had been involved in pretty bad behaviour. (In 2008 he pleaded guilty in a Florida state court to procuring a minor for prostitution and soliciting prostitution, was required to register as a sex offender, and served about 13 months in custody). Likewise the discussion involves a lot of information sent to Epstein and probably a skype call. It wasn’t just him approaching and MIRI saying no.
I guess I wonder if it might have been more appropriate to say, “We discussed funding with Epstein but decided not to go forward with it. In hindsight even the discussion was an error”
From the emails it seems @Eliezer Yudkowsky makes clear that @So8res and he know who Epstein is:
Epstein: Or were you clearing my name with him
Yudkowsky: Not sure what you mean. Nate knows you’re Jeffrey E. I check not-yetpublished info/speculation past him before saying it.[1]
So I guess, do we think the discussion was an error? I think I would not endorse discussing funding with a known sex offender, but it’s hard to get in frames of mind I’m not in and much still wasn’t known.
I guess:
Are the emails real?
What do Yud and Nate think of talking to Epstein now?
What does Rob Bensinger think of his 2019 communication
What are some broader thoughts on this?
I don’t have a strong view. I find it’s worth moving slowly. Appreciate everyone’s time.
- ^
I’m not sure what this third sentence means.
Yeah, that makes sense.
Though I don’t think I regret asking questions about a thing that was troubling me in a polite way on the community forum.