Emotional Status: Self-Doubt, Epistemic-humility[1]
I find myself abandoning multiple written projects due to this idea: I am writing something someone has already done a better job than me at.
The Conditional: If I write something I've already encountered AND I may know less than that person, then I am cluttering the EA space, and possibly redirecting traffic from more intelligent, well-read individuals.
The Question: Thoughts?
On the other hand, I acknowledge that I might have some novel ideas and something to add.
Is it just me, or do others also feel that sense of overwhelm when encountering wonderfully thought-out posts by @Scott Alexander and others?
Sometimes, I read his works, or others on the EA forum or LessWrong, and I realize how small my knowledge map is.
Any advice, consolation, or arguments would be greatly appreciated. I'm attempting to overcome this subtle perfectionism and become more active on the forum.
- ^
I figured I'd throw in this "emotional status" instead of epistemic status disclaimer as a means to demonstrate the emotions that are influencing this since there aren't any fact claims going on.
Also, I recognize that epistemic humility is a good thing, but today I am far more epistemically humble than others due to multiple encounters with my hidden assumptions this week.
Here's my advice, if I may. If you know that someone's already written on the topic, but you're still hesitating as to whether to write it or not—instead of abandoning it without a second thought—then I assume there's something that you feel is still worth writing; as you say, "I acknowledge that I might have some novel ideas and something to add." Or perhaps the way you look at the issue, the way you express it, the way you summarize it, the particular point you emphasize, etc.
I mean surely, if you really thought that someone else has already written something that sufficiently matches what you're about to say, you wouldn't even be asking this question, no?
As for the sense of "overwhelm," no I don't feel it. I appreciate well-written posts, but as far as I could tell, this forum's guidelines do not include any requirements to either "refraining from already-discussed topics" or "making brilliant posts all the time." So why self-impose further requirements? You have ideas, so you should express them within the bounds set by this platform. Go for it!
Hi Alexander,
Thank you! You add an important point which is that the packaging of the ideas matters. I think what you said here is more or less the same idea "the way you look at the issue, the way you express it, the way you summarize it, the particular point you emphasize, etc." This phrasing of packaging isn't my concept but rather comes from the author Mark Manson. I'm glad this reminded me of it.
Yours was an encouraging response, I appreciate it greatly.