Jiro comments on Open thread, 30 June 2014- 6 July 2014 - Less Wrong

4 Post author: DanielDeRossi 30 June 2014 10:58AM

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Comment author: Jiro 03 July 2014 05:17:42PM *  2 points [-]

Discussion like the one we are having here aren't suppressed

But outsiders wouldn't have any idea what we're talking about (unless they googled "Roko's Basilisk"),

The problem with updating on the basilisk is that you don't have access to the reasoning based on which the basilisk got censored. If you want to update on whether someone makes rational decisions it makes a lot of sense to focus on instances where the person actually fully opening about why he does what he does.

Just because you don't have all information doesn't mean that the information you do have isn't useful. Of course updating on "the Basilisk sounds like a crazy idea" isn't as good as doing so based on completely comprehending it, but that doesn't mean it's useless or irrational. Besides, LW (officially) agrees that it's a crazy idea, so it's not as if comprehending it would lead to a vastly different conclusion.

And again, LW has a conflict of interest in deciding that reading the Basilisk won't provide outsiders with useful information. The whole reason we point out conflicts of interest in the first place is that we think certain parties shouldn't make certain decisions. So arguing "LW should decide not to release the information because X" is inherently wrong--LW shouldn't be deciding this at all.

It's also a case where there was time pressure to make a decision while a lot of LW discussions aren't of that nature and intellectual position get developed over months and years.

There was time pressure when the Basilisk was initially censored. There's no time pressure now.

Comment author: ChristianKl 03 July 2014 09:19:14PM 1 point [-]

But outsiders wouldn't have any idea what we're talking about (unbless they googled "Roko's Basilisk"),

You underrate the intelligence of the folks who read LW. If someone wants to know he googles it.

Comment author: gwern 03 July 2014 10:05:14PM 0 points [-]