TheOtherDave comments on New Post version 2 (please read this ONLY if your last name beings with l–z) - Less Wrong

8 Post author: lukeprog 27 July 2011 09:57PM

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Tags: relationships instrumental_rationality self-help

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Comment author: TheOtherDave 28 July 2011 02:38:05PM 7 points [-]

One thing that really intrigues me about the comments is how negatively some people react to the personal-story element of it, contrasted with Alicorn's Luminosity sequence, where people requested personal stories because they made it easier to identify with the material.

One big difference is that Alicorn's stories were third-person, and yours are first-person; another is that Alicorn's were nominally fictional and yours are nominally factual. Of course, the content is also different, and the community has changed.

Still, I wonder how this same post would have been received in a third-person-hypothetical mode.

Comment author: Nisan 28 July 2011 05:10:36PM 3 points [-]

Alicorn also provided a first-person story which was well-received.

Comment author: FiftyTwo 22 September 2011 11:54:33AM *  1 point [-]

Compare the reaction to Alicorn's later 'Polyhacking' piece which was far more positive than reactions to either versions 1 or 2.

Possible explanations:

  • It was a top level post, and she hadn't explicitly asked for detailed criticism so people felt less inclined to criticise, and/or were not primed to think negatively.
  • The articles focus was more narrow and detailed, and thus didn't have the issues that arise from compressing a lot of information into a small space.
  • It was also generally more polished as it was not a work in progress article but a complete one, so presumably had flaws in earlier drafts that were corrected.
  • Less charitable explanations: Alicorn's article set off a lot of applause/aww lights (mine included) by focusing in detail on personal affection, whereas this article apparently 'skeeved out' some people because of its seemingly detached/cold attitude to interpersonal relationships.
  • It is also possible (though I would assert it as definite) that commenters here share cultural tropes/background that make us better disposed to something like this coming from a woman than man.
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