Vladimir_Nesov comments on Cookies vs Existential Risk - Less Wrong

8 Post author: FrankAdamek 30 August 2009 03:56AM

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Comment author: Vladimir_Nesov 30 August 2009 04:40:02PM *  4 points [-]

But since saving the world is outsourced to the "heroes", people have a rationalization for not worrying too much about this issue. After all, if you don't know the relevant math or even where to begin, it's beyond your personal abilities to proceed and actually learn the stuff. Have a cookie.

Comment author: FrankAdamek 31 August 2009 03:11:13PM 1 point [-]

Though I'm taking rationalization in the pejorative sense, it does seem a real concern that people would think that way.

As for finding out where the begin, I've recently been in a lot of discussion with Anna Salamon, Carl Shulman and others about this, which has been very useful. If they are free and a person is interested in making a real effort, I'd expect they'd be very happy to discuss ideas and strategies. Anna suggested a thread to focus such a discussion, getting ideas from various LW readers, which should be going up instanter.