Dynamically_Linked comments on Evolving to Extinction - Less Wrong

46 Post author: Eliezer_Yudkowsky 16 November 2007 07:18AM

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Comment author: Dynamically_Linked 17 November 2007 01:25:21AM 0 points [-]

The issue is replication with variation and the necessary historical consequences of this.

Evolution requires more than replication with variation. It needs differential replication with variation.

There is therefore no way to avoid the consequences of evolution: they are not biological consequences, but consequences of the laws of physics and logic. There is no way around them.

I can think of a couple of potential ways to avoid the consequences of evolution, by attacking the "differential" part.

1. The Singleton.

2. Some other method for achieving absolute security and property rights. For example a completely impenetrable shield. Or having automatic fail-proof self-destruct mechanisms built into everything to make it pointless for anyone to try to appropriate other people's property.