I've noticed this structural vulnerability to bias too - Can you think of any structural changes that might reduce or eliminate this bias?
Maybe SIAI ought to be offering a prize for substantially justified criticism of some important positional documents, as judged by some disinterested agent?
They are already getting some critical feedback.
I think I made much the same points in my DOOM! video. DOOM mongers:
tend to do things like write books about THE END OF THE WORLD - which gives them a stake in promoting the topic ...and...
are a self-selected sample of those who think DOOM is very important (and so, often, highly likely) - so naturally they hold extreme views - and represent a sample from the far end of the spectrum;
clump together, cite each others papers, and enjoy a sense of community based around their unusual views.
It seems tric...
This thread is for the discussion of Less Wrong topics that have not appeared in recent posts. If a discussion gets unwieldy, celebrate by turning it into a top-level post.