Difference between revisions of "Asymmetric institution"

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(Examples of asymmetric institutions)
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==Examples of asymmetric institutions==
 
==Examples of asymmetric institutions==
  
* science
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* science: gives status/influence to researchers who generate hypotheses that third parties can replicate; this means that most people's pet theories do not be promoted by science
* betting
+
* betting:
* debate (of the civil/rational kind, not a shouting match)
+
* debate (of the civil/rational kind, not a shouting match):
* charity evaluation based on some strict criteria
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* charity evaluation based on some strict criteria: [[GiveWell]] gains influence by evaluating charities, but it cannot promote any charity it wishes; it can only promote e.g. charities whose interventions perform well under a randomized controlled trial
  
 
==Examples of symmetric institutions==
 
==Examples of symmetric institutions==

Revision as of 01:26, 29 November 2020

An asymmetric institution is an institution or mechanism which gives influence asymmetrically based on some property.

Examples of asymmetric institutions

  • science: gives status/influence to researchers who generate hypotheses that third parties can replicate; this means that most people's pet theories do not be promoted by science
  • betting:
  • debate (of the civil/rational kind, not a shouting match):
  • charity evaluation based on some strict criteria: GiveWell gains influence by evaluating charities, but it cannot promote any charity it wishes; it can only promote e.g. charities whose interventions perform well under a randomized controlled trial

Examples of symmetric institutions

  • violence
  • shouting match
  • spreading viral content
  • persuasion tactics
  • info warfare

Concerns

Even asymmetric institutions aren't that good. Some thoughts here:

  • lots of low hanging fruit remain unpicked / inability to resolve coordination failures (e.g. look at all of the criticisms of science in recent years)
  • even asymmetric institutions can be corrupted
  • halo effect to areas where these institutions don't have expertise

External links