Hanson’s Catechism

by Will Wilkinson on September 24, 2008

I love Robin Hanson’s pithy account of signal-centric Hansonism:

Food isn’t about Nutrition
Clothes aren’t about Comfort
Bedrooms aren’t about Sleep
Marriage isn’t about Romance
Talk isn’t about Info
Laughter isn’t about Jokes
Charity isn’t about Helping
Church isn’t about God
Art isn’t about Insight
Medicine isn’t about Health
Consulting isn’t about Advice
School isn’t about Learning
Research isn’t about Progress
Politics isn’t about Policy

And blogging isn’t about… what?

  • Chuk
    Blogging isn't about amateurism.

    Blogging isn't about punditry.

    Blogging isn't about memoir.

    Blogging isn't about "dilettante swarms"/open source.

    Blogging isn't about leveling social hierarchies.

    BTW, I'd like to nominate this as the greatest snowclone of all time. Glen Whitman's position as a World-Historical figure is secure!
  • L
    School is about learning for some people.
    Charity is about helping for some people.
    Etc.

    Not everyone is full of shit.
  • Blogging is new enough that we don't have as clear standard stories about what it is for. But "Blogging isn't about conversation" is pretty good.
  • I meant easier to refute, more difficult to defend
  • Blogging isn't about positive declarative statements, which are more difficult to refute than negative declarative statements.
  • C
    Try these:

    Blogging isn't about conversation.
    Blogging isn't about engagement.
    Blogging isn't about sharing.
  • "Blogging isn't about... Readers"
  • mk
    Hahaha, well played.

    If Robin Hanson wasn't a blogger he would say "Blogging isn't about ideas." But I don't know what he'd say now.
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