Blake

My post advocating backing a candidate was probably the most disliked article on LessWrong. It’s been over a year now. Was our candidate support worthwhile? What happened after July 17, 2024: * We drew nearly 100 people to a rally in the summer heat.. * We ordered a toilet no one used, but didn’t provide water, chairs, or umbrellas. * I tried to convert rally energy into action by turning weekly meetings into work groups. * We sent hundreds of postcards. I soon realized doorknocking and voter registration were more effective uses of time. * Attendees preferred postcards; doorknocking and voter registration drew little interest. * The Louisiana Democratic Party barely engaged, aside from dropping off yard signs. * After Trump won, energy collapsed. People shifted to “self-care.” I thought this was the wrong reaction—we needed to confront the failures. * I chose not to spend more time organizing people unwilling to fight. Instead, I invested my energy and money into other issues. Where that led: * After six months of experimenting, I found the most impact in AI and education. * I started the "AI for Every Student" initiative raising ~$35,000 and running workshops. * The Louisiana School Board President tapped me to chair the steering committee on AI in schools. * Today, I estimate a 30–50% chance of significantly reshaping education for nearly 700,000 students and 50,000 staff. So—was it worth backing a candidate? Yes. That path ultimately led me to a place of greater agency and purpose. Will I do it again? Personally, yes. But I won’t push rationalists to do the same. The lesson: Don’t spend energy forcing people into actions they’re not already motivated to take.