There’s recently been a blizzard of capital gracing the world of philanthropy and experimental research funding. And with this glut of capital flowing into the space is the increasing professionalisation and the need for talent. Whether that’s EA in general or the myriad foundations sprouting out in particular, there’s a demand for talent to staff these organisations and to run them well.
Since some folks have read this as me being against illegibility - I really wasn't arguing that, as much as saying we should help those who work in such illegible jobs to hopefully have a more legible career track record.
This does seem to be the challenge, no? considering how difficult counterfactuals are...
Would thay have made it regardless of funding? what if applying for a grant for X kept someone doing X long past the time they realised it wasn't a good idea? etc.
Maybe the existence of track records makes everyone much more conservative, and less open to illegible talent. But then we just come back to "random funding", which I grow more and more sympathetic to each day.
Since some folks have read this as me being against illegibility - I really wasn't arguing that, as much as saying we should help those who work in such illegible jobs to hopefully have a more legible career track record.
"measured any way you like"
This does seem to be the challenge, no? considering how difficult counterfactuals are...
Would thay have made it regardless of funding? what if applying for a grant for X kept someone doing X long past the time they realised it wasn't a good idea? etc.
Maybe the existence of track records makes everyone much more conservative, and less open to illegible talent. But then we just come back to "random funding", which I grow more and more sympathetic to each day.