The rubber has already hit the road. Automation and computer
displacement of jobs is an old story. The real challenge in my mind
is how the world at large will shift to a post-scarcity economics and
at what point. More importantly what are the least disruptive and
most beneficial steps along the way. Clearly we cannot jump to
livable financial and material benefits to all regardless of
employment in one great leap. So what is the grading along the way?
- s
On May 29, 2007, at 8:01 AM, Jonathan H. Hinck wrote:
Sorry, me again. I was thinking specifically along the lines a
movement which could present to humanity the (potential) benefits
of an automated world where, among other things, wage slavery and
its resulting inequities and hardships are abolished and supplanted
by machines (to use the most general term) which monitor and take
care of humanity.
My concern, as a futurist, is that if the discussion is framed in
terms of immediate economic dislocation (which it often seems to
be), then there will more likely be a less-than-positive reaction
from John Q. Public, who will view machines as an immediate threat.
If, therefore, an automated future is going to have any chance in
the political arena (where it will eventually end up, sooner or
later), then perhaps Futurists need to pre-empt the Luddites (and
pseudo-Luddites) somehow, before the rubber hits the road.
Jon
-----Original Message-----
From: Jonathan H. Hinck [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 9:15 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: [singularity] The humans are dead...
Is a broad-based political/social movement to (1) raise
consciousnessregarding the potential of A.I. and its future
implications and to, in turn, (2) stimulate public discussion about
this whole issue possible at this time? Or is there simply too
much disagreement (or, at Ben put it, too much disregard for the
"geeks") for this to be possible? (Please,
please, thoughts anyone?)
Jon
-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Elis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Monday, May 28, 2007 9:19 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: RE: [singularity] The humans are dead...
Ben Goertzel wrote:
> Right now, no one cares what a bunch of geeks and freaks
> say about AGI and the future of humanity.
>
> But once a powerful AGI is actually created by person X, the prior
> mailing list posts of X are likely to be scrutinized, and
> interpreted by people whose points of view are as far from
> transhumanism as you can possibly imagine ... but who
> may have plenty of power in the world...
This understanding of the world we live in is where my posts on this
topic originate.
But, Ben is being optimistic. I would suggest the situation is even
worse. If person X actually comes up with some exciting result
short of
real AGI, and this gets widespread media attention, the same scrutiny
will begin in earnest. If you're person X, and you haven't been
careful,
you might not get the chance to complete your work the way you want
to.
Regardless, the powers that be won't have to go sifting through
thousands of emails either. Think of all the people you've disagreed
with over the years. Think of all the people who could be jealous of
your achievement. Sour grapes and outright dislike will see to it that
your views on *many* things get to the wrong people.
Keith
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