It is fascinating how lots of people seem to genuinely have the mental association "EAs = people who are anti-technology"

Of course it makes sense if 2023 AI stuff is one's first introduction to internet nerd subcultures, but even two years ago that characterization would have seemed completely incomprehensible.

I don’t think EA is anti-tech. It’s just a wealth redistribution scheme where one group of people thinks they know how to best allocate resources by taking resources from other groups.

You can do it with or without tech.

The paradox is: What is personal wealth?

If we don’t really make money, and all we do is take money from others, then richest people are simply the best at taking money from others.

I’m not necessarily against this, but it’s just capitalism.

(Agree on SBF.)

All the discussion of wealth distribution I’ve heard from EA is about one’s personal wealth, but all the criticism I’ve heard of EA sounds like the reactionary “taxes = theft” stuff that seems to show up whenever anyone talks about global risks. 😕

(Note: both sides agree SBF was a criminal)