Astral Codex Ten Podcast Come On, Obviously The Purpose Of A System Is Not What It Does
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Apr 14, 2025 The conversation dives into the fascinating concept of using outcomes to assess the true purpose of systems. Examples like cancer hospitals and military strategies challenge the discrepancy between intentions and realities. The discussion critiques how governmental policies often fail to align with their stated goals, prompting listeners to rethink trust in institutions. By examining systemic actions rather than creators' intentions, the podcast reveals the complexities behind societal structures.
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POSIWID Misinterpretations
- The "purpose of a system is what it does" (POSIWID) argument is often misused.
- It's falsely used to suggest a system's purpose is its worst outcome, ignoring intent.
Flawed POSIWID Examples
- Scott Alexander gives examples of POSIWID's flaws, like claiming a cancer hospital's purpose is only curing two-thirds of patients.
- He also examines the British government's flip-flopping policies and the New York bus system's carbon emissions.
Twitter POSIWID Misuse
- Scott shares tweets misusing POSIWID to attribute negative outcomes to malicious intent.
- Examples include blaming Labour for destroying British farmers and claiming the immigration system facilitates rape.