Scott Aaronson: Sneerers
scottaaronson.blog
scottaaronson.blog
In the past few weeks, I’ve learned two ways to think about online sneerers that have been helping me tremendously, and that I wanted to share in case they’re helpful to others:
First, they’re like a train in a movie that’s barreling directly towards the camera. If you haven’t yet internalized how the medium works, absolutely terrifying! Run from the theater! If you have internalized it, though, you can sit and watch without even flinching.
Second, the sneerers are like alligators—and about as likely to be moved by your appeals to reason and empathy. But if, like me, you’re lucky enough to have a loving family, friends, colleagues, and a nigh-uncancellable career, then it’s as though you’re standing on a bridge high above, looking down at the gators as they snap their jaws at you uselessly. There’s really no moral or intellectual obligation to go down to the swamp to wrestle them. If they mean to attack you, let them at least come up to the bridge.
Well we are where we are cuz its easier said than done. Plus people are more and more addicted to look to the web for validation, feedback etc even when they are broadcasting from a nice bridge.
Its just better to stay offline and reach out to certain specific people when you need something. Which requires being more conscious of your Needs.