Wei_Dai comments on Non-Malthusian Scenarios - Less Wrong

13 Post author: Wei_Dai 26 September 2009 02:44AM

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Comment author: Wei_Dai 26 September 2009 10:50:28AM 3 points [-]

Memes are not really a solution to Malthus's dilemma. They are just a different type of substrate for inheritance. The world filling with memes might indeed prevent the world from filling up with DNA - but then you have the exact same Malthusian problem all over again with the new medium of inheritance.

But memes are not morally relevant entities. Who cares if they suffer from the Malthusian problem, as long as human beings can have a high standard of living? (I'm assuming a non-upload scenario here, in case there's any confusion about that.)

The standard of living for those that remain could be high, though.

Yes, that was the point.

Comment author: timtyler 26 September 2009 11:25:24AM 2 points [-]

I would agree that some agents could improve their standard of living - even if resources are limited - by making use of an army of slaves, which they don't care about the welfare of.

I don't think that DNA has a monopoly on moral relevance, though. The idea that the inheritance medium is of significant moral import will probably be derided in the future as a kind of prejudice.

Comment author: bogdanb 28 September 2009 01:44:14PM 0 points [-]

But memes are not morally relevant entities. Who cares if they suffer from the Malthusian problem, as long as human beings can have a high standard of living?

Well, memes might care :-)

Comment author: bogdanb 28 September 2009 01:45:47PM 0 points [-]

By the way, is there such a thing as a meta-meme?

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