Comment by pesus
4 months ago
Thank you for sharing this. I 100% believe it, and it lines up with my experience with other people who came from similar backgrounds as Sam Altman - i.e. white, rich, privileged, and attending elite universities.
I will disagree with one part - I do believe it is racism. Most will never admit it publicly, but if they think you're one of them, it often comes out rather quickly, especially when alcohol is involved.
It's sad to me that "racism" is such a divisive word to many, and is met with defensiveness rather than introspection and communication. Trying to not be racist takes work, and communication, and is a process, not a state.
I appreciate OP's sharing as well. Also, racism isn't peddled only by rich white elite university attendees, it reaches into all the corners.
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I never claimed that. I am one myself. I'd suggest reading more carefully in the future.
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> considering you just made a sweeping negative generalization based on race without recognizing it for what it is.
I did no such thing. I'd suggest reading more carefully. Much of that background describes me as well.
> Also, I find it interesting how your list of "backgrounds that define bad people" conveniently omits a specific trait that many tech CEOs of questionable morals share, likely because it doesn't align with your agenda.
Can you elaborate instead of beating around the bush? What exactly do you think "my agenda" is? What "specific trait" are you referring to?
Interpersonal racism that produces systemic racism can be measured.
Defined as: Disparate outcomes where, holding all other things equal, the only determinative factor is race.
So, with altman, we maybe couldn't point out a single case where it was definitely interpersonal racism. He'd probably have several plausible explanations at hand, given who he is.
But, if we were to look at his hiring and firing history, we could probably measure an 'unexplainable' dearth of black people in his orgs and circles. At that point, we can say his interpersonal racism has produced a measurable systemic effect that has disenfranchised many talented black people unfairly from this digital gold rush.
I can't do this work, but I am certain someone at YC or OpenAI could, were they so inclined (they won't be).
What was racist about the comment you responded to?
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Have you seen him or a picture of him? Looks about as white as they come to me, putting his religious heritage aside.
It's ignorant to base someones ethnicity on their skin color; by this logic Shinzo Abe was white too.
Are Irish red and Italians olive? Most folks of color consider Jewish folk of a certain complexion white. Heck, some Mexicans are seen as white.