Even as a Riverian myself, I have quite a few criticisms of the River, and I think it could use critiques that hit the target more often. So here’s a quick attempt to outline what I think are steelman versions of them. A steelman argument—a favorite technique of EAs and rationalists—is the opposite of a strawman argument. The idea is to build a robust and well-articulated version of the other side’s position, even if it’s one that you disagree with. Let’s begin with the River’s critique of the Village since it’s the one I’m naturally inclined to sympathize with.
