gwern comments on Open thread, Nov. 16 - Nov. 22, 2015 - Less Wrong

7 Post author: MrMind 16 November 2015 08:03AM

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Comment author: g_pepper 18 November 2015 02:32:49AM *  11 points [-]

The latest New Yorker has a lengthy article about Nick Bostrom and Superintelligence. It contains a good profile of Bostrom going back to his graduate school days, his interest in existential threats in general, and how that interest became more focused on the risk of AGI specifically. Many concepts frequently discussed at LW are mentioned, e.g. the Fermi paradox and the Great Filter, the concept of an intelligence explosion, uploading, cryonics, etc. Also discussed is the progress that Bostrom and others have made in getting the word out regarding the threat posed by AGI, as well as some opposing viewpoints. Various other AI researchers, entrepreneurs and pundits are mentioned as well (although neither EY nor LW is mentioned, unfortunately).

The article is aimed at a general audience and so it doesn't contain much that will be new to the typical LWer, but it is an interesting and well-done overview, IMO.

Comment author: gwern 18 November 2015 03:23:39AM 8 points [-]

I was amused to see both modafinil and nicotine pop up. I guess I should feel proud?

Comment author: signal 18 November 2015 04:08:41PM 0 points [-]

You should. Just started playing with those gums.