www.lesswrong.com/posts/frizRHnA6AZpJSDqw/lab-leaks-black-holes-and-eggs-epistem...
1 correction found
In early 2024, a $100,000 judged debate took place between Saar Wilf (founder of Rootclaim) and Peter Miller on the origins of COVID-19.
The $100,000 COVID-origins debate was held in November 2023, not early 2024. Early 2024 was when the outcome and post-debate writeups were published.
Full reasoning
This sentence gets the timing of the debate wrong. The official debate page by co-judge Eric Stansifer says: "During 2023 November, Rootclaim (represented by Saar Wilf) and Peter Miller held a public debate on the origins of covid." It further says the debate took place over three sessions and that the $100k stakes were tied to the judges' decision.
A separate version of Stansifer's written decision likewise begins: "In 2023 November, Rootclaim organized a three part, 20 hour debate..."
So the debate itself occurred in November 2023. What happened in early 2024 was the publication of the result and reactions—for example, Rootclaim's post announcing the outcome is dated February 18, 2024. The article appears to have conflated the date of the verdict/public discussion with the date of the debate itself.
3 sources
- 2023 Covid origins debate
During 2023 November, Rootclaim (represented by Saar Wilf) and Peter Miller held a public debate on the origins of covid. The debate took place via video conference over 20 hours in 3 sessions... the overall debate outcome and its $100k stakes was to be determined by the average of our decisions.
- Rootclaim covid-19 origins debate: Final decision
Abstract: In 2023 November, Rootclaim organized a three part, 20 hour debate with written supplements on the origins of the covid-19 pandemic.
- Rootclaim's COVID-19 Origins debate results
February 18, 2024 ... And the winner of Rootclaim's COVID-19 origins debate and the $100,000 prize is... Unfortunately, not us :).