One way in which Manifest is unusual: we’re bringing together folks who have been embroiled in various internet disputes.
- Ben Pace vs Nonlinear/Tracing Woodgrains
- Trevor Klee vs Aaron Silverbook
- AI Pause (Holly Elmore) vs Accelerate (Brian Chau)
- Scott Alexander vs NYT (?)
- and of course, Kalshi vs Polymarket
Some musings and personal reflections:
- Is this a “normal” amount of movement drama? Or an unusually high amount, because of contrarianess/debatefulness
- There’s something particularly catchy about conflict and drama; it makes for really good, engaging news
- Many of Manifold’s largest news cycles showcase this kind of conflict (Sama firing; LK99)
- I find myself with very strong sympathies to the folks on both sides of the disagreement.
- And often feel like the conflict is needless, as a result
- Would be nice to suss out some kind of “nemeses fight it out” event at Manifest, in a mostly playful and satirical spirit
- I proposed that we pit these folks together in a wrestling ring at Manifest; alas, nobody else was excited for this
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