army1987 comments on Open Thread, August 1-15, 2012 - Less Wrong

2 Post author: OpenThreadGuy 01 August 2012 03:39PM

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Comment author: [deleted] 02 August 2012 09:27:40AM 1 point [-]

To avoid the massive utility of knowing that another intelligent species survived the great filter

It has survived it so far, but for all we know it may be going to be extinct in 200 years.

Comment author: evand 02 August 2012 02:58:15PM 1 point [-]

The first such civilization surviving thus far still provides a large quantity of information. In particular, it makes us think the early stages of the filter are easier, and thus causes us to update our probability of future survival downward for both civilizations. In other words, hearing about another civilization makes us think it more likely that said civilization will go extinct soon.

Comment author: [deleted] 02 August 2012 10:12:17PM *  2 points [-]

Anyway, even if prase didn't mention the Great Filter in particular, given that he/she said “in any case, if possible, try to leave aside MWI, UDT, TDT, anthropics and AI”, I don't think he/she was interested in answers involving the Great Filter, either.

(Not sure this is the best way to say what I'm trying to say, but I hope you know what I mean anyway.)

Comment author: prase 03 August 2012 06:07:06PM 0 points [-]

You are right.