Vladimir_Nesov comments on Whining-Based Communities - Less Wrong

59 Post author: Eliezer_Yudkowsky 07 April 2009 08:31PM

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Comment author: roland 08 April 2009 05:36:26AM 1 point [-]

Another great post, thanks Eliezer! But, if rationality is for you to win, shouldn't you try to keep it a secret from others? Like if you knew a way to make money in the stock market would you spread it if that nullified your advantage?

Comment author: Vladimir_Nesov 08 April 2009 09:13:16AM *  6 points [-]

Two things:

  • Advantage over others is not the only thing people care about.
  • The "rationality" developed in secret is unlikely to grow more powerful than whatever technology a single farmer from Dark Ages could develop in a lifetime, that is to say not impressive at all.
Comment author: Annoyance 08 April 2009 03:42:01PM 3 points [-]

Regarding the second point: that's why Guilds were created, and they were quite powerful in their day. Why do you think they're called 'trade secrets'?

Comment author: Peterdjones 08 June 2011 11:30:23AM 1 point [-]

But modern technological civilisisation didn't take of until the guild system (keep it secret) was replaced by the patent system (publish it)

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