Could the -1 be justified so I can adjust my future articles? Is it because you think it's not a good idea, or because I don't explain my idea well enough, or simply because such topics shouldn't be post on LW (or something else)?
Also, should someone delete an article as soon as it gets say -5 karma, since it means it's probably not a good one, and therefore other people shouldn't pay attention to it?
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.
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.
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.
That makes sense since the producers are openly saying they are looking for people that fit stereotypes.
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.
Here's a review of what you wanted to participate in.
The cast’s beliefs are so one-note it feels like they were all chosen from rejected attendees of presidential election town halls or your mother-in-law’s Facebook feed. Red is a self-proclaimed “backwoods hillbilly” who has no teeth. Jersey Bob proudly hails from New Jersey and is “a real American,” not a “liberal douchebag.” The only biographical information we get about Nikki is that she is looking for a tantric sex partner.
The most compelling cast member is Preacher Jon, who is a preacher and whose name is Jon. Jon went on to Utopia to baptize his fellow Utopians, a fact he states without hesitancy. However, he becomes tempted by the rampant nudity taking place (it seems like a main requirement for all female Utopians was willingness to hang out topless) and so he sings “Jesus Is The Answer” with his back turned on the seven sets of boobies.
The TV series 'Utopia' just started.
"The series follows a cast of 15 men and women who are placed in isolation and filmed twenty-four hours a day for one year. The cast must create their own society and figure out how to survive. The series will be shown twice a week, but there will be online streaming 24/7 with 129 hidden and unhidden cameras all over the Utopia compound. The live streams will begin on August 29, the day when the 15 pioneers will enter Utopia. Over 5,000 people auditioned for the series. Every month three pioneers will be nominated and could be sent back to their everyday lives. The live streamers will decide which new pioneers get their chance to become Utopian." (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utopia_(U.S._reality_TV_series))
Since every month new 'pioneers' will be introduced, you can still audition for the series; here's how: http://www.utopiatvcasting.com/how-to-audition. I would love to see a well-trained rationalist teaching "the world" some applied rationality principles, and I think this TV show would be an excellent medium to reach the "average person". It would also be nice to see someone explaining what Utopia means to a transhumanist. Let us know if you apply.