MathieuRoy comments on [link] Reality Show 'Utopia' - Less Wrong

-8 Post author: MathieuRoy 06 September 2014 08:39PM

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Comment author: James_Miller 07 September 2014 03:21:44AM 6 points [-]

I think it's because it doesn't strongly relate to rationality. Also, the expected payoff of applying to the show is going to be extremely small given how many people probably will be applying.

Comment author: MathieuRoy 07 September 2014 03:28:28AM 3 points [-]

Thank you for your answer. I will try not to post things that don't strongly relate to rationality in the future.

For the record, my reasoning was the following: There has been 5000 candidates so far. If one rationalist applies, let's say s/he has a probability of 1/5000 to be chosen. If s/he is chosen, s/he will be seen by probably millions of viewers. So in average, every application would reach something like 1000 viewers.

Comment author: Dentin 07 September 2014 04:25:09AM 7 points [-]

After filtering to make it into a proper TV show, the -best- that could happen is the rationalist would be cast into a 'straw vulcan' role and ridiculed; more likely is that the whole rationalist community is made out to be a screwy cult to be ridiculed.

Comment author: MathieuRoy 07 September 2014 04:38:11PM 2 points [-]

That makes sense since the producers are openly saying they are looking for people that fit stereotypes.

Comment author: ChristianKl 07 September 2014 10:38:44PM 2 points [-]

So in average, every application would reach something like 1000 viewers.

1000 nonqualified viewers isn't much.

But even if you get selected it means you spend one year in a closed environment where you can't do much. A decent youtube video gets more viewers and allows much more control over your message.