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Evan_Gaensbauer comments on Open thread, Oct. 6 - Oct. 12, 2014 - Less Wrong Discussion

6 Post author: MrMind 06 October 2014 08:16AM

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Comment author: Evan_Gaensbauer 06 October 2014 10:11:49AM *  30 points [-]

On the suggestion of Gunnar_Zarncke, this comment has been transformed into a Discussion post.

Comment author: Gunnar_Zarncke 06 October 2014 02:29:25PM *  20 points [-]

This should at least be in Discussions. It is very valuable high level feedback about the value of LessWrong.

If you agree and if you want to avoid duplicating it you can remove the body of the text and replace it with a link to the Discussions post.

Comment author: Evan_Gaensbauer 08 October 2014 08:44:23PM *  3 points [-]

I'll do that. However, Peter Hurford listed his similar experience below. This post can generate even more value (and I don't mean karma, I mean people dovetailing) on its value with better, stronger examples than just the ones I've provided above. I'm thinking this could be a repository, and a catalyst for ever more users to get values out of Less Wrong as both a community, and a resource, like this. If you know of other users with similar experiences, please ask them if they'd be willing to share their stories, and include them in this post.

Comment author: Gunnar_Zarncke 08 October 2014 08:49:20PM 3 points [-]

Ways to act on this idea:

  • Collaborate with Peter Hurford to jointly post this.

  • Create a Positive LW Experience Thread

  • Create a LW Wiki page where this can be collected.

I think the last has the most permanent effect but by itself is likely to receive little contribution.

Comment author: peter_hurford 06 October 2014 04:04:18PM 6 points [-]

I had a similar experience asking about my career choices.

Comment author: Evan_Gaensbauer 08 October 2014 08:36:50PM *  1 point [-]

Gunnar_Zarncke also commented that I should at least turn my above comment into a post in Discussion. Before I do that, or if I go on to post it to Main. if the reception goes well enough, I'd like to strengthen my own post by including your experience in it. I mean, the point I made above seems to be making enough headway on the few things I did alone, and if the weight of your clout as a well-known effective altruist, and rationalist, is thrown behind it, I believe we could make even more traction in generating positive externalities by encouraging others.

I remember there was a 'Less Wrong as a social catalyst' thread several months ago we both posted in, found valuable, and got great receptions for the feedback we provided. I might mine the comments there for similar experiences, message some users, and see if they don't mind doing this. If you know of other friends, or peers, on Less Wrong, who have had a similar experience, I'd encourage you to get them on board as well. The more examples we can provide, of a more diverse base of users, the stronger case we can build. In doing so, I'd attribute you as a co-author/collaborator/provider of feedback when I make this a post in its own right.

Comment author: peter_hurford 09 October 2014 06:27:01AM 3 points [-]

Sounds good to me. I've wanted to write a "what EA/LW has done for me" post for awhile and may still do so.

Comment author: Evan_Gaensbauer 10 October 2014 10:43:35AM 1 point [-]

Gunnar got enough upvotes for merely suggesting that I post this in Discussion that it shows a lot of promise. I didn't anticipate this, and know I'm feeling ambitious. More than just generating a single thread of positive Less Wrong responses, I'd prefer to a call for any members of the site with a deep, broad enough experience of getting great advice from Less Wrong to make a post of their own as I will. So, yes, make your own.

However, if we can get others to come out of the woodwork to write reports, inspire more users to ask personal questions of Less Wrong, and then get them to turn that into future posts, there potential for personal growth for dozens of users on this site. I wouldn't call it a chain reaction, per se, but I anticipate an unknown unknown value of positive externalities to be generated, and I want us to capture that value.