zlacker

Paul Graham: Nonprofits Are a Magnet for Sociopaths

submitted by behnam+(OP) on 2023-11-19 22:53:39 | 8 points 9 comments
[view article] [source] [links] [go to bottom]
replies(9): >>Michel+D >>m_ke+Y1 >>ZunarJ+54 >>bloope+f5 >>ilaksh+97 >>threes+K7 >>Wheels+x8 >>altpad+Fc >>SuperN+de
1. Michel+D[view] [source] 2023-11-19 22:56:21
>>behnam+(OP)
If so, this would apply to Sam -and- Ilya -and- everyone else in key positions at OpenAI ...
2. m_ke+Y1[view] [source] 2023-11-19 23:03:35
>>behnam+(OP)
So are financial institutions, including VC firms and incubators.
3. ZunarJ+54[view] [source] 2023-11-19 23:15:19
>>behnam+(OP)
https://new-archives.org/carol-zou-movement-narcissism
4. bloope+f5[view] [source] 2023-11-19 23:22:51
>>behnam+(OP)
(2019)
5. ilaksh+97[view] [source] 2023-11-19 23:35:38
>>behnam+(OP)
I think it's a bit over the top to apply it to the current topic. I don't know Sutskever personally but I think that he was trying to be responsible and had a right to be kept in the loop as per the way the organization was formed. Same with the people that backed him up. I think that's very different from being a sociopath.

Same for Altman. If he is a sociopath then he may also be one the greatest actors of all time.

I'm not saying I think what they did was a good plan or that I believe the GPT Store or GPT 4.5 is going to take over the world. But I just think that from the perspective of safety-oriented people it was probably fair to evaluate the trajectory as dangerous and to try to reign it in a bit.

Personally, though, thinking short term, I hope Altman comes back and we get a GPT Store soon.

I also hope that open source models continue to improve and serious safety research continues full speed.

6. threes+K7[view] [source] 2023-11-19 23:38:19
>>behnam+(OP)
Another interesting take backed by little evidence in the real world.

The most egregious abuses of morality have come from for-profit startup CEOs.

Especially with the "move fast and break things" attitude that YC has helped to cultivate.

7. Wheels+x8[view] [source] 2023-11-19 23:43:03
>>behnam+(OP)
I've worked for for-profit businesses. I've seen Sociopaths climb the ladder faster than anyone else. It's not for-profit or nonprofit that attracts Sociopaths, it's the search for power and the advantage that you can climb faster if you don't care who you hurt. Sociopathy is a superpower in business.
8. altpad+Fc[view] [source] 2023-11-20 00:08:33
>>behnam+(OP)
I'd be willing to bet that the average corporate exec or VC is more of a sociopath than the average nonprofit leader/board member
9. SuperN+de[view] [source] 2023-11-20 00:16:28
>>behnam+(OP)
I personally agree with this, from my limited experience. I would push back slightly though, and say they're a magnet for people with personality disorders, like sociopathy or more often just narcisism. Their character gives these people incredible validation and a lot of social capital. They also create an environment in which they're able to more effectively manipulate, exploit, and bully people.

That said, I love working at nonprofits.

Edit: I don't have any position on how this applies to recent event though. From my limited understanding of those, it's simply a difference of opinion.

[go to top]