Expected Volume

Matt wants to find out why people like him and it turns out that Chana is even more interested in that question. On the way, we coin some new terminology and learn about triangles. We then talk around Amanda Askell’s Paladin, Pacifist, Soldier, Scout post like we haven’t read it, because we didn’t. LINKSThe 30-60-90 Triangle: https://mathworld.wolfram.com/30-60-90Triangle.htmlSecular academy in Rome where you must speak Latin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accademia_Vivarium_NovumRegis High School  in New York: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regis_High_School_(New_York_City)Amanda’s blog we talked around: https://askellio.substack.com/p/paladin-pacifist-soldier-scoutAs always, you can email in questions and comments at mattandchana@gmail.com

Matt has a lousy AI & economics theory that goes nowhere, but we elegantly pivot to talking about human zoos, early internet scholarship, babies taking their first baths, and how important it is that we “take all the galaxies and do all the stuff.” Also, should we trade with ants?Apologies for the audio (again) – Matt will do his pre-checks in the future to make sure the individual mics are working.LINKSOWID productivity charts (turns out I have a professional editor now): https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/labor-productivity-per-hour-pennworldtable?tab=lineIf anyone builds it, everyone dies: https://www.amazon.com/Anyone-Builds-Everyone-Dies-Superhuman/dp/0316595640We don’t trade with ants: https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/wB7hdo4LDdhZ7kwJw/we-don-t-trade-with-antsAgainst Neutrality about Creating Happy Lives: https://joecarlsmith.com/2021/03/14/against-neutrality-about-creating-happy-livesOn Future People, Looking Back on 21st Century Longtermism: https://joecarlsmith.com/2021/03/22/on-future-people-looking-back-at-21st-century-longtermismAs always, you can email in questions and comments at mattandchana@gmail.com

Chana interrogates Matt (because Matt hadn't prepared anything), so of course she still does most of the talking. Nevertheless, we learn about Matt's childhood, romantic strategies, and the ten characters he plays in real life, plus we hear from Chana's secret admirer. LINKSWhen “Yang” Goes Wrong: https://joecarlsmith.com/2024/01/08/when-yang-goes-wrongAella on seduction: https://aella.substack.com/p/good-at-sex-sex-as-a-status-gameBrangus on seduction: https://ratorthodox.substack.com/p/branguss-10-rules-for-sleeping-withNorm Macdonald's humor: https://youtu.be/tm-uISr3OWw?si=S8na0ypgkcEir0W5On Sincerity: https://joecarlsmith.com/2022/12/23/on-sincerityAs always, you can email in questions and comments at mattandchana@gmail.com

We welcome Frances, some Inkhaven residents, and local crows to tell sappy EA origin stories, and aggressive political stories before quizzing ourselves on Taylor Swift and the NFL with the best rapport and worst audio of the show so far. I'll pay an editor next time...LINKSFrances’s Blog: https://whatweare.substack.com/Matt has a blog too you know: https://frommatter.substack.com/…So [did] Chana: https://themerelyreal.wordpress.com/The Finale of Matt’s old show where he complains about compliments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJssGodnCQgDeciding to Win: https://decidingtowin.org/As always, you can email in questions and comments at mattandchana@gmail.com

Arden Koehler, Web director at 80,000 Hours, dives deep into the Effective Altruism (EA) landscape. They debate the impact of AI safety on community growth and whether traditional EA values should be revived. Arden defends the trinity of cause areas as crucial for inclusivity and diverse contributions. The conversation highlights the evolving role of EA, likening it to a religion with moral rituals and community responsibilities, while also exploring scalable actions for AI safety. Insightful takes on community dynamics and moral growth models make for a compelling discussion!

We’re making a list and pledging it twice, gonna find out who’s stingy and nice. This Christmas, Matt and Chana are feeling the cringe as they reflect on their turpitude of failing to get on board with the thing everyone they respect has done. We hope Bentham’s Bulldog can whip us into shape before Santa leaves coal in our too-wealthy stockings. LINKSIf you’re feeling so inspired, take the GWWC pledge! https://www.givingwhatwecan.org/pledgeTWITTER POLL on which of Chana’s incredibly obscure video games you know: https://x.com/Mjreard/status/2004092617165070833As always, you can email in questions and comments at mattandchana@gmail.com

Matt ponders his upcoming unemployment (circa September), lack of a system 1, and EA Holy Book concept, for which we bring in the best possible guest to discuss. Unfortunately, Taylor Swift ended up hijacking the conversation.LINKSOn Caring: https://mindingourway.com/on-caring/Unsong: https://unsongbook.com/As always, you can email in questions and comments at mattandchana@gmail.com

Chana vexes about whether her newfound twitter hate is her fault which unfolds into a discussion of internet main characters and how shamelessness and forecasting are connected. Also, stick around until the end for the BEST JOKE YOU HAVE EVER HEARDLINKSVpredator1000 (black or asian guy): https://x.com/VLONEPREDATORSBF tucker interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN1CR2dyfo8Nathan’s twitter: https://x.com/NathanpmYoungNathan's Substack: https://nathanpmyoung.substack.com/As always, you can email in questions and comments at mattandchana@gmail.com

The conversation kicks off with book recommendations that spiral into rethinking the modern workplace. They delve into the idea of 'pathological truth-telling' and its impact on internal thought processes. Exploring rationalist community norms, they question whether a focus on optimization leads to unhappiness. The duo debates the fungibility of money in donation contexts and discusses how privacy, authority, and social expectations shape human behavior. Rounding off, they share practical life tips on balancing work, relationships, and well-being.

In the first episode we actually *recorded* with a girl, Chana’s boss comes on to defy gender stereotypes by focusing on topics like fashion, dating, weddings, crying, but also moths!As always, you can email in questions and comments at mattandchana@gmail.comLINKSr/weddingattireapproval: https://www.reddit.com/r/Weddingattireapproval/Reciprocity pro link: https://buck-reciprocity.herokuapp.com/Matt’s blog about hemming and hawing about the EA label: https://frommatter.substack.com/p/ea-adjacency-as-ftx-traumaKilling the moths: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/Ax5PwjqtrunQJgjsA/killing-the-mothsKilling the ants: https://joecarlsmith.com/2021/02/07/killing-the-antsWe don’t trade with ants: https://worldspiritsockpuppet.substack.com/p/we-dont-trade-with-ants