I was never really a Singularity activist, but 1. I realized the singularity is coming and nothing can stop it. 2. The more I study the friendly AI problem, the more I realize it is intractable. 3. Studying the singularity raises issues (e.g. does consciousness exist?) that conflict with hardcoded beliefs that are essential for survival. 4. The vast majority of people do not understand the issues anyway.
--- Joshua Fox <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This is the wrong place to ask this question, but I can't think of anywhere > better: > > There are people who used to be active in blogging, writing to the email > lists, donating money, public speaking, or holding organizational positions > in Singularitarian and related fields -- and are no longer anywhere near as > active. I'd very much like to know why. > > Possible answers might include: > > 1. I still believe in the truthfulness and moral value of the > Singularitarian position, but... > a. ... eventually we all grow up and need to focus on career rather than > activism. > b. ... I just plain ran out of energy and interest. > c. ... public outreach is of no value or even dangerous; what counts is the > research work of a few small teams. > d. ... why write on this when I'll just be repeating what's been said so > often. > e. ... my donations are meaningless compared to what a dot-com millionaire > can give. > 2. I came to realize the deep logical (or: moral) flaws in the > Singularitarian position. [Please tell us they are.] > 3. I came to understand that Singularitarianism has some logical and moral > validity, but no more than many other important causes to which I give my > time and money. > > And of course I am also interested to learn other answers. > > Again, I would like to hear from those who used to be more involved, not > just those who have disagreed with Singularitarianism all along. > > Unfortunately, most such people are not reading this, but perhaps some have > maintained at least this connection; or list members may be able to report > indirectly (but please, only well-confirmed reports rather than > supposition). > > Joshua -- Matt Mahoney, [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- This list is sponsored by AGIRI: http://www.agiri.org/email To unsubscribe or change your options, please go to: http://v2.listbox.com/member/?member_id=4007604&id_secret=33492243-2b6758
