Comments

@GavrielK Thank you so much for taking the time to look at our project and offering to help. We seldom have people offer to give feedback so I really appreciate it. How do you suggest we coordinate redrafting? Can we email you directly or do you have other suggestions?

@Rachel l, thank you very much for the constructive feedback. Apologies for not replying sooner I have been sick. @xBruce did not lead with the most important aspect of this project. This is transparent AI research, and in many ways transparent AI is safe AI. I think Bruce has decided it's more effective to work contracts and wage labor to support this project. I feel that if this is the go-to mode of supporting transparent AI research is of paramount importance. I've recently encountered another transparent AI researcher with similar struggles. So going forward I guess I would like to explore some options to help this sort of grid lock that is happening. As people who code we are strong at abstract thinking and aren't exactly known for our communication skills. Is there some support with writing grants available? Also, there seems to be a lot of group-think around the idea that neural networks are the way forward, to the exclusion of research in other areas like ours. This isn't just about my project, but all the projects that are bootstrapped and struggling for support while neural networks enjoy an acceleration. I'm confident that having more tools in our AI toolbox will lead to safer AI and I don't feel it's necessary for any one tool to do every job. And even if some of these techniques lead to a dead end, we will have learned something from the research. Do you think there are ways we can explore to help support the advancement of transparent AI?

Austin, to be clear I was trying to ask for some more specific, constructive feedback. You made the claim that the grant proposal uses a lot of jargon. I've read it several times and don't see it. So it would be nice to have some specifics to clarify your point. As it stands you quoted a Dilbert passage instead of backing up your claims. This just feels icky and like your trolling, especially when the end of the passage says "I laugh hysterically."

Hi Austin! I've been working with Bruce on The Slipstream since I was an intern and have written about half the code. I would very much like to learn more about writing grants and what is going to be the most effective at communicating our project. Were there any specific areas you had questions about?