Effective Altruists' Perspective on the Long Now Foundation

When considering the work of the Long Now Foundation and its iconic 10,000 Year Clock, effective altruists generally do not give it much thought. While the foundation is making significant strides in its niche focus area, it is not aligned with the core principles of effective altruism, which prioritize both importance and tractability.

The 10,000 Year Clock is a fascinating project, but its impact and relevance lie more in the realm of art and long-term planning rather than immediately solving pressing global issues. Many effective altruists view such projects as more akin to beautifying the White House while failing to address far more urgent and tractable problems. In essence, the Clock is a long-term project that lacks the practical and actionable aspects often championed by effective altruists.

Eliezer Yudkowsky's Perspective

During the Effective Al arbitrarians conference (EAG) in 2016, renowned cognitive scientist Eliezer Yudkowsky was asked about the 10,000 Year Clock. His response was not enthusiastic. Yudkowsky commented, "it's cool-sounding but if you want to actually help the future..." This remark encapsulates a common sentiment among effective altruists that the Clock, while a great idea, is not the most impactful use of resources.

Yudkowsky's skepticism extends to the Luigi’s Kiosk and even the bar, 'The Interval,' which he found to be overly expensive and confined, with limited accessibility to its upstairs library. His comments reflect a broader concern about the potential diversion of resources away from more critical and actionable causes.

Personal Reflections and the Long-Term View

Although some effective altruists do not prioritize the Long Now Foundation, others have a more ambivalent stance. Personally, the author used to fantasize about living indefinitely and periodically returning to the Clock, viewing it as a glorified art project. However, this perspective has somewhat shifted, given the constraints and limitations of the project.

There is an underlying feeling that promoting a long-term view can be highly beneficial, even if the projects themselves do not fully align with effective altruism. For example, a proto-EA in Ancient Greece might find the heuristic "act in the best interest of the next 10,000 years" to be a remarkably sensible approach to strategy. Such a perspective, while abstract, can influence broader behaviors and decisions in a more generalized sense.

Challenges of Prioritization

The author also acknowledges the challenge of prioritizing goals, noting a personal confusion in ranking desires. For instance, while a part of the author still wants to go to Mars, seen as an important goal, it falls short in terms of tractability and immediacy when compared to other pressing global issues. The 10,000 Year Clock taps into this same sense of long-term thinking and ambition, thus resonating with a part of the author's personal values and desires.

In conclusion, while the 10,000 Year Clock is an intriguing and inspiring long-term project, effective altruists generally view it pragmatically, recognizing its limitations in alignment with the core principles of addressing the most urgent and tractable issues. Nevertheless, the long-term outlook is still beneficial, even if the projects themselves do not fully embody the ethos of effective altruism.

Note: The views and opinions expressed here are subjective and individual, reflecting personal observations and reflections on the subject matter.