Scott Alexander analyzes EA's approach to criticism, arguing that specific, targeted critiques are more valuable than vague, paradigmatic ones for driving real change. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses the phenomenon of Effective Altruism's (EA) seemingly excessive openness to criticism. He argues that while EA appears to welcome criticism, much of it is paradigmatic and vague, leading to little actionable change. He contrasts this with specific, targeted criticisms that actually challenge individuals and practices, which he believes are more likely to lead to real improvements. Scott uses examples from psychiatry and EA to illustrate his point, suggesting that embracing vague criticisms can lead to inefficiency and a move away from precise, effective practices. He concludes by discussing the nature of paradigm shifts, arguing that they arise from specific anomalies rather than broad, ideological critiques. Shorter summary