gyokuro comments on The mathematical universe: the map that is the territory - Less Wrong

68 Post author: ata 26 March 2010 09:26AM

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Comment author: gyokuro 09 January 2013 01:01:46AM 2 points [-]

As a teenager, I don't see how it can be horror. I thought it was inspiring, honestly.

Comment author: Eneasz 10 January 2013 06:33:46PM 3 points [-]

One of the major messages I got from it was thus: even if you never physically die, eventually over eternity one of these two things will happen - 1) your utility function will drift enough, and your memories fade and change enough, they you will be unrecognizable as the person you were. You as you are now will effectively be dead. 2) you will successfully resist change, and will be stuck thinking and doing the same things endlessly in a loop. You might as well be dead.

Even if we defeat death, living long enough is essential death anyway. You are doomed, there is no escape.

Comment author: Wei_Dai 11 January 2013 12:15:52AM 3 points [-]

Isn't that just due to the author's inability to imagine/describe a mind capable of becoming increasingly and unboundedly complex without losing its identity? Why take it as an inevitable conclusion?

Comment author: Eneasz 11 January 2013 09:32:28PM 0 points [-]

Well sure, but that wouldn't make for a good horror novel. :)

Comment author: MugaSofer 09 January 2013 10:54:26AM 3 points [-]

Teenagers are immune to cosmic horror. Well-known fact.