A blogger reflects on his two-decade relationship with the effective altruism and rationalist community, which grew from a blog into an influential institutional force shaping AI policy. He describes their connection as 'friendship with footnotes'—maintaining personal bonds while disagreeing fundamentally with their ideas and declining to publicly defend their positions. The author signals he will now examine this relationship more seriously given EA's increased consequentiality.
The author contrasts genuine curiosity with performative intellectualism, arguing that real learning involves honest engagement with ideas rather than curating an impressive public image. Curious people ask uncomfortable questions, admit ignorance, and change their minds without shame, while performative intellectuals exhaust themselves maintaining a polished appearance of knowledge.