Eliezer_Yudkowsky comments on The $125,000 Summer Singularity Challenge - Less Wrong

20 Post author: Kaj_Sotala 29 July 2011 09:02PM

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Comment author: Eliezer_Yudkowsky 26 August 2011 12:57:18PM 9 points [-]

The key thing is for your voice to make it clear that you're not at all afraid and that you think this is what the high-prestige smart people do. Show the tiniest trace of defensiveness and they'll pounce.

Comment author: khafra 26 August 2011 01:09:08PM 3 points [-]

So, your method leaves open the option of educating your interlocutor, if they question further. If all you're worried about is avoiding a status hit, you could confidently proclaim it to be an amulet given to you by the king of all geese in honor of your mutual defense treaty.

Comment author: lessdazed 26 August 2011 05:22:24PM 2 points [-]

I wasn't referring to prestige at all when I said "beneficial". I was exclusively referring to what sketerpot is referring to.

In arguments, it's pretty common for people to argue for the traditional "decay and die before living even a hundred years" system with arguments against literal immortality. I've seen this happen so many times.

I don't see how "resurrection" is less of a show of confidence, confidence by nonchalance in framing an issue in light least favorable to the speaker. The advantage is that people do not get confused and think it a bad idea for reasons that don't actually apply.