Eliezer: The interesting thing in Carl's post is not that some people resist corruption but that some institutions resist putting the corrupt/corruptible in power while still putting someone in power.

Steven: VERY important point. Marx, who never held power, approved very publicly of killing large numbers in the name of his ideals. How many thoughtful people don't have silly ideologies? In any event, there are still other dynamics. I strongly recommend "Darkness at Noon" for an important one.

Carl: Consequentialism is more logically dangerous with longer time horizons. Should we fear life extensionists but not singularitarians? How do both compare to the religious?

Robin: Do we have any way to collect data on how many people read these threads past some point? I fear that its a waste of time to write long comments this far down a thread.