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What a bold conclusion. I remind you that you don’t know anything about me. But perhaps your characterization is to protect the comfort you draw from your world

What a bold conclusion. I remind you that you don’t know anything about me. But perhaps your characterization is to protect the comfort you draw from your world views. What kind of person thinks that the people whose “brilliance” led them to invent weapons of mass destruction are better than anyone that cannot solve technical problems as fast as they can? Do you apply the same reasoning for wealth also? I suppose might is right for you? You might not see this — for whatever reason — but it is indisputable: history is filled with the types of “geniuses” who in their rush to the prestige of being first they leave in their wake destructive effects on humanity. I argue that when people say “these are 1 in a hundred million” that yeah, because most of the people with similar aptitudes would pause and consider the implications of their actions while you argue that they are gods amongst men that we are “lucky to have met”.

robocat 3y ago
> I remind you that you don’t know anything about me. Yet you are willing to cast ridiculous assertions about groups of people - stating as fact as though you are the canonical source of truth. > But perhaps your characterization is to protect the comfort you draw from your world views. Seems like you define projection. See if you can find a way to get a colleague or two to tell you what they honestly think of you. I'm sure you will be surprised at how they judge you. The trouble is getting honest feedback - people say they want it but few people receive it well so over time most people learn not to give their opinions. I read a relevant comment today from Madmallard that rings true: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39661279 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39661279 One of the joys of HN is that many commenters can be thoughtfully blunt. Moderator also asks that we avoid doing "internet psychology diagnosis": https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38589525 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38589525 - this thread is not good and I'm not helping sorry...
- DSingularity 3y ago
  Do you think the world will be better off if, let’s say, all these powerful super geniuses dedicated 5% of their time to deeply consider questions like “should I be building this” or “should I be working for this corporation”? With the same enthusiasm and rigor that they dedicate to their craft. If you don’t see how many of these types are so immersed in their craft that they are oblivious to their impact on the world then you really haven’t interacted with many high-functioning types. If you have I encourage you to try and discuss these types of things with them.

robocat 3y ago

> I remind you that you don’t know anything about me. Yet you are willing to cast ridiculous assertions about groups of people - stating as fact as though you are the canonical source of truth. > But perhaps your characterization is to protect the comfort you draw from your world views. Seems like you define projection. See if you can find a way to get a colleague or two to tell you what they honestly think of you. I'm sure you will be surprised at how they judge you. The trouble is getting honest feedback - people say they want it but few people receive it well so over time most people learn not to give their opinions. I read a relevant comment today from Madmallard that rings true: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39661279 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39661279 One of the joys of HN is that many commenters can be thoughtfully blunt. Moderator also asks that we avoid doing "internet psychology diagnosis": https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38589525 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38589525 - this thread is not good and I'm not helping sorry...

DSingularity 3y ago
Do you think the world will be better off if, let’s say, all these powerful super geniuses dedicated 5% of their time to deeply consider questions like “should I be building this” or “should I be working for this corporation”? With the same enthusiasm and rigor that they dedicate to their craft. If you don’t see how many of these types are so immersed in their craft that they are oblivious to their impact on the world then you really haven’t interacted with many high-functioning types. If you have I encourage you to try and discuss these types of things with them.