sark comments on A Much Better Life? - Less Wrong

61 Post author: Psychohistorian 03 February 2010 08:01PM

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Comment author: teageegeepea 05 February 2010 12:24:10AM 9 points [-]

I think in the absence of actual experience machines, we're dealing with fictional evidence. Statements about what people would hypothetically do have no consequences other than signalling. Once we create them (as we have on a smaller scale with certain electronic diversions), we can observe the revealed preferences.

Comment author: sark 09 February 2010 11:32:27AM 4 points [-]

Yes, but if we still insist on thinking about this, perhaps it would help to keep Hanson's near-far distinction in mind. There are techniques to encourage near mode thinking. For example, trying to fix plot holes in the above scenario.