[patcon]

I was speaking with a woman earlier this week who just finished her master's dissertation with a focus on Sam Altman's recent influence campaign, and she was scared of how charming he was. She obviously was trying to maintain distance for impartiality, but his interview style, and the seeming total sincerity of his communication style... It was terrifying to her in how well he could draw everyone in. She was absolutely endeared by him, but aware of how powerful that endearment was, and so scared and worried about his impact.

[polishdude20]

Watching a few interviews of him, I don't really see the charm?

[cactusplant7374]

People want to believe that their lives will radically change for the better very soon. It's a religion. A lot of claims but not much evidence.

[maxlamb]

So because someone seems sincere and charming we must automatically assume he/she has bad intentions even with no evidence? I get that we must remain skeptical but to be “scared” of anyone especially charming seems ridiculous IMHO.

[patcon]

No, I didn't mean to say that it was necessarily bad, just that this sincerity/charm is simply power. And we should rightfully be wary of power. And least this woman was, and I agree. Predicting how it will be used (good vs bad) is a significant part of our work in the world :)