Raemon comments on Link: Rob Bensinger on Less Wrong and vegetarianism - Less Wrong

11 Post author: Sysice 13 November 2014 05:09PM

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Comment author: Raemon 13 November 2014 09:54:05PM *  6 points [-]

LW folk generally are proponents of Vat-Meat.

On one hand, I agree with you that it's probably not that effective to specifically court the LW demographic. That said, EA-Animal-Rights people are usually in favor of vat-grown meat (there are companies working on it. To my knowledge they are not seeking donations (although Modern Meadow is hiring, if you happen to have relevant skills)

"expose existing cattle/chicken abuse in farms and slaughterhouses" is a mainstay vegan tactic. Robbie's article was prompted by Brienne's article which was specifically arguing against videos that did that (especially if they use additional emotional manipulation tactics)

Comment author: geeky 14 November 2014 04:24:50PM *  3 points [-]

Just as a data point: the emotional manipulation tactics (i.e graphic videos) were effective against me. (Mostly because I was unfamiliar with the process before. I didn't know what happened) They tend to be effective in people especially sensitive to graphic images, I think, but I realize that in general it's not a tremendously effective way across the population spectrum. If it was, everyone (or at least everyone who has watched those videos) would probably be vegetarian at this point. This is not the case.

Comment author: Lumifer 14 November 2014 04:40:46PM 4 points [-]

Just as a data point: the emotional manipulation tactics (i.e) videos were effective against me.

As another data point, emotional manipulations tactics are HIGHLY counterproductive against me. I dislike being emotionally manipulated and when I see attempts to do so my attitude towards the cause worsens considerably.

Comment author: IlyaShpitser 17 November 2014 12:12:45PM *  4 points [-]

Can you name three cases when you changed your mind on something important as a result of someone convincing you, by any means.

Comment author: Jiro 14 November 2014 04:33:59PM 0 points [-]

the emotional manipulation tactics (i.e) videos were effective against me

Are videos intended to produce a visceral reaction against gay sex or abortion also effective against you?

Comment author: geeky 14 November 2014 05:02:28PM *  0 points [-]

Those are very different contexts (but the answer is no, they are not effective against me). I don't make decisions based on purely visceral reactions, nor do I advise it. I think there may have been some miscommunication... I was saying that those tactics don't generally work, that I do not recommend them, even if I happened to be an exception.

Comment author: shminux 13 November 2014 11:19:58PM 0 points [-]

"generally proponents" doesn't sound nearly like "putting lots of efforts into". As I said, an effective animal altruist would dedicate some serious time to figuring out better ways to reduce animal suffering. Being boxed in the propaganda-only mode certainly doesn't seem like an effective approach. If you are serious about the issue, go into an Eliezer mode and try to do the impossible. Especially since it's a lot less impossible than what he aspires to achieve.

Comment author: Sysice 14 November 2014 11:00:25AM *  4 points [-]

You seem to be saying that people can't talk, think about, or discuss topics unless they're currently devoting their life towards that topic with maximum effectiveness. That seems... incredibly silly.
Your statements seem especially odd considering that there are people currently doing all of the things you mentioned (which is why you knew to mention them).