CarlShulman comments on Existential Risk and Public Relations - Less Wrong

36 Post author: multifoliaterose 15 August 2010 07:16AM

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Comment author: bentarm 15 August 2010 11:45:24AM 10 points [-]

I haven't seen examples of Yudkowsky-hatred. But I have regularly seen people ridicule him

Ditto.

I know of a lot of very smart people (ok, less than 10, but still, more than 1) who essentially read Eliezer's AI writings as a form of entertainment, and don't take them even slightly seriously. This is partly because of the Absurdity Heuristic, but I think it's also because of Eliezer's writing style, and statements like the one in the initial post.

I personally fall somewhere between these people and, say, someone who has spent a summer at the SIAI on the 'taking Eliezer seriously' scale - I think he (and the others) probably have a point, and I at least know that they intend to be taken seriously, but I've never gotten round to doing anything about it.

Comment author: CarlShulman 15 August 2010 12:02:39PM 2 points [-]

who essentially read Eliezer's AI writings as a form of entertainment, and don't take them even slightly seriously.

Why do they find them entertaining?

Comment author: bentarm 15 August 2010 12:44:34PM 6 points [-]

As XiXiDu says - pretty much the same reason they find Isaac Asimov entertaining.

Comment author: XiXiDu 15 August 2010 12:38:13PM 6 points [-]

I said the same before. It's mainly good science fiction. I'm trying to find out if there's more to it though.

Just saying this as evidence that there is a lot doubt even within the LW community.