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The author’s absolutist dicta (“There is essentially no common ground…”, “ostracism means death”, ”People are absolutely obsessed with money”, “you can’t be tru

The author’s absolutist dicta (“There is essentially no common ground…”, “ostracism means death”, ”People are absolutely obsessed with money”, “you can’t be truly successful in mainstream culture”) makes this essay sound foolish. Maybe Ayn Rand fans might like it. I couldn’t stop giggling. The analysis of “older people” is a hoot and a half. I imagine the author striding about in his/her father’s bathrobe and carrying a broomstick, intoning wisdom. Maybe the author should talk to one or two (or a thousand) before theorizing. The author’s world view seems to be centered around “success” as the primary motivation behind human behavior. I am also guessing that “success” means to the writer some degree of celebrity and money, and the more the better. The author should consider the possibility that such a world view is not deeply held by a large part of the population, or perhaps the grip that “success” holds does weaken with age. A trip to a hospice or assisted living center might be a worthwhile experience for the author. And the key point is hardly original. That’s why the phrase “big fish in a small pond” has been around for so many decades…that particular motivation for developing/joining subcultures has been a thing for a long, long time. There are many other motivations, never mentioned by the author. This imbalance is another problem with the essay.

Animats 5y ago
He asks some of the right questions, even if his answers seem a bit off. That's what's interesting. The "big fish in a small pond" comment is apt. What's new is that we now have improved small pond creation across distance.
uncomputation 5y ago
Some of the glossing over cultural differences did strike me as a bit naive (I maintain an American and Japanese anime fan are still very different), but the piece as a whole is poignant and very well written. I don’t think there’s a “key point,” rather than an explanation of one facet of modern society and some synthesis as to why these online subcultures have developed as they have. Astral Codex Ten (on Substack) has a piece in this vein: “Epistemically Minor Leagues.” If you’re not familiar, Gwern (OP) doesn’t so much “argue” a key point but rather explore ideas and document various internet cultural artifacts and ideas. It’s quite the rabbit hole. But yeah, this piece has quite a bit of insight still in my opinion, despite some minor - not flaws, but weirdness let’s say. It’s exploratory, not argumentative.
GoblinSlayer 5y ago
>The author should consider the possibility that such a world view is not deeply held by a large part of the population, or perhaps the grip that “success” holds does weaken with age. That part would oppose the mainstream culture.

Animats 5y ago

He asks some of the right questions, even if his answers seem a bit off. That's what's interesting. The "big fish in a small pond" comment is apt. What's new is that we now have improved small pond creation across distance.

uncomputation 5y ago

Some of the glossing over cultural differences did strike me as a bit naive (I maintain an American and Japanese anime fan are still very different), but the piece as a whole is poignant and very well written. I don’t think there’s a “key point,” rather than an explanation of one facet of modern society and some synthesis as to why these online subcultures have developed as they have. Astral Codex Ten (on Substack) has a piece in this vein: “Epistemically Minor Leagues.” If you’re not familiar, Gwern (OP) doesn’t so much “argue” a key point but rather explore ideas and document various internet cultural artifacts and ideas. It’s quite the rabbit hole. But yeah, this piece has quite a bit of insight still in my opinion, despite some minor - not flaws, but weirdness let’s say. It’s exploratory, not argumentative.

GoblinSlayer 5y ago

>The author should consider the possibility that such a world view is not deeply held by a large part of the population, or perhaps the grip that “success” holds does weaken with age. That part would oppose the mainstream culture.