When I remember that the threat of superintelligence is not my fault, and it doesn’t mean that there is something wrong with me or that I’m not trying hard enough, I can breathe again.
Thanks for this candid essay of an issue related to the world of activism but also relevant to many large scale intractable problems (intractable in the sense of difficult to solve, not impassible to solve). Reading this (and then re-reading outloud to my spouse) prompted me to think about the idea of interconnectedness of humanity (the concept of ubuntu, I think, captures this idea), and two concepts of leadership, one being that of "the driver" of change, the other being "the catalyst" of change. Western culture bends toward "the driver" - and the responsibility of the individual to, in this case, save us.
Right action is embraced because it is right, not because of the results it produces. Kant, I think taught a moral philosophy like that. Or maybe it was Holly Elmore. I often get the 2 mixed.
I think of myself as a utilitarian, actually. It is about the consequences, not just following the rules. But discipline, knowing your power, and not putting yourself in situations where you can justify bad actions are important to getting good consequences!
Guess I've gotten less and less secure I can predict consequences as my World Model deteriorates more and more. So reverting to principles, hopefully not too dangerously dogmatically.
Thanks for this candid essay of an issue related to the world of activism but also relevant to many large scale intractable problems (intractable in the sense of difficult to solve, not impassible to solve). Reading this (and then re-reading outloud to my spouse) prompted me to think about the idea of interconnectedness of humanity (the concept of ubuntu, I think, captures this idea), and two concepts of leadership, one being that of "the driver" of change, the other being "the catalyst" of change. Western culture bends toward "the driver" - and the responsibility of the individual to, in this case, save us.
This brought to mind the serenity prayer by Kipling that goes something like this
May I have
The courage to change what I can change
The patience to accept what I cannot and
The wisdom to know the difference.
There’s no doubt you have the courage and that you’re well on the way to getting the patience and wisdom.
Right action is embraced because it is right, not because of the results it produces. Kant, I think taught a moral philosophy like that. Or maybe it was Holly Elmore. I often get the 2 mixed.
I think of myself as a utilitarian, actually. It is about the consequences, not just following the rules. But discipline, knowing your power, and not putting yourself in situations where you can justify bad actions are important to getting good consequences!
Guess I've gotten less and less secure I can predict consequences as my World Model deteriorates more and more. So reverting to principles, hopefully not too dangerously dogmatically.