JoshuaZ comments on Tallinn-Evans $125,000 Singularity Challenge - Less Wrong

27 Post author: Kaj_Sotala 26 December 2010 11:21AM

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Comment author: JoshuaZ 29 December 2010 06:57:30PM 0 points [-]

Yes, but then how does this risk differ from asteroid impacts, solar flares, bio weapons or nanotechnology?

Well, one doesn't need to think that that it intrinsically different. One would just need to think that the marginal return here is high because we aren't putting in much resources now to look at the problem. Someone could potentially make that sort of argument for any existential risk.

Comment author: XiXiDu 29 December 2010 07:47:32PM 2 points [-]

Yes. I am getting much better responses from you than from some of the donors that replied or the SIAI itself. Which isn't very reassuring. Anyway, you are of course right there. The SIAI is currently looking into the one existential risk that is most underfunded. As I said before, I believe that the SIAI should exist and therefore should be supported. Yet I still can't follow some of the more frenetic supporters. That is, I don't see the case being as strong as some portray it. And there is not enough skepticism here, although people reassure me constantly that they have been skeptic but were eventually convinced. They just don't seem very convincing to me.

Comment author: Rain 29 December 2010 07:49:52PM 2 points [-]

I guess I should stop trying then? Have I not provided anything useful? And do I come across as "frenetic"? That's certainly not how I feel. And I figured 90 percent chance we all die to be pretty skeptical. Maybe you weren't referring to me...

Comment author: XiXiDu 29 December 2010 07:58:16PM *  1 point [-]

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have phrased my comment like that. No, I was referring to this and this comment that I just got. I feel too tired to reply to those right now because I feel they do not answer anything and that I have already tackled their content in previous comments. I'm sometimes getting a bit weary when the amount of useless information gets too high. They probably feel the same about me and I should be thankful that they take the time at all. I can assure you that my intention is not to attack anyone or the SIAI personally just to discredit them. I'm honestly interested, simply curious.

Comment author: Rain 29 December 2010 08:03:11PM 1 point [-]

OK, cool. Yeah, this whole thing does seem to go in circles at times... it's the sort of topic where I wish I could just meet face to face and hash it out over an hour or so.