Yes, I think the benefit outweighs the costs. I am interested in the differences between what drew males v. females to this site. There are much fewer females, so I need more of them to reply.
This seems to have worked too, as the 2011 survey held 8% females, whereas this one seems to be holding steady at a 13% females. (The other option is that the percentage of females on LW has grown by over 50% in the past 4-ish months. This seems less probable)
Do we know that more women has answered this poll and not just less men?
In another thread, we have been discussing how people (especially female people) have come to find out about LessWrong. Instead of just guessing, I figured I would make a poll.
I remember in recent history there was a thread on the subject, but the answers were mainly "I got here from HPMoR" or "I've been here since OB". However, the question I want answered is:
How did you find HPMoR or OB in the first place?
Were you referred by a friend? Were you searching the internet for keywords like "rationality"? Were you linked from some other site you read?
Please answer! Even if you are a lurker; ESPECIALLY if you are a female reader! (There is a question where you can say you are a lurker, if you like!)
Click here to take the poll!
ETA- female *reader* and female *people*