TheOtherDave comments on Thoughts on the Singularity Institute (SI) - Less Wrong

256 Post author: HoldenKarnofsky 11 May 2012 04:31AM

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Comment author: TheOtherDave 11 May 2012 04:21:29PM 6 points [-]

Robin Hanson has been listed as the other major "intelligent/competent" critic of SIAI. That he criticises what seems to be the keystone of Holden's argument should be cause for concern for Holden.

So, I stipulate that Robin, whom Eliezer considers the only other major "intelligent/competent" critic of SI, disagrees with this aspect of Holden's position. I also stipulate that this aspect is the keystone of Holden's argument, and without it all the rest of it is irrelevant. (I'm not sure either of those statements is actually true, but they're beside my point here.)

I do not understand why these stipulated facts should be a significant cause for concern for Holden, who may not consider Eliezer's endorsement of what is and isn't legitimate criticism of SI particularly significant evidence of anything important.

Can you expand on your reasoning here?

Comment author: Polymeron 20 May 2012 06:52:02PM 2 points [-]

after all, if "even a chance" is good enough, then all the other criticisms melt away

Not to the degree that SI could be increasing the existential risk, a point Holden also makes. "Even a chance" swings both ways.

Comment author: TheOtherDave 20 May 2012 07:03:27PM 1 point [-]

I am completely lost by how this is a response to anything I said.

Comment author: Polymeron 20 May 2012 07:44:59PM *  0 points [-]

It's not. Apparently I somehow replied to the wrong post... It's actually aimed at sufferer's comment you were replying to.

I don't suppose there's a convenient way to move it? I don't think retracting and re-posting would clean it up sufficiently, in fact that seems messier.

Comment author: TheOtherDave 20 May 2012 08:06:41PM 0 points [-]

Ah! That makes sense. I know of no way to move it... sorry.

Comment author: sufferer 11 May 2012 04:39:47PM *  0 points [-]

I suspect that Holden would also consider Robin Hanson a competent critic. This is because Robin is smart, knowledgeable and prestigiously accredited.

But your comment has alerted me to the fact that even if Hanson comes out as a flat-earther tomorrow the supporting posts are still weak.

The issue of the two most credible critics of SIAI disagreeing with each other is logically independent of the issue of Holden's wobbly argument against the utilitarian argument for SIAI. Many thanks.