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AbdullaRashim comments on Open Thread, June 16-30, 2013 - Less Wrong Discussion

3 Post author: Dorikka 16 June 2013 04:45AM

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Comment author: AbdullaRashim 26 June 2013 05:07:17AM 2 points [-]

Is there a wiki or website that keeps track of things related to the Great Filter?

I guess I'm looking for something that enumerates all the possible major filters, and keeps track of data and arguments pertaining to various aspects of these filters.

Comment author: JoshuaZ 26 June 2013 07:14:57PM 0 points [-]

I'm not aware of any such thing. It would be nice to have. There was an earlier Boston meetup a few years ago where a few of us tried to brainstorm future filters but we didn't really get anything that wasn't already known (I think jimrandomh mentioned that there's been similar attempts at other meetups and the like). The set of proposed filters in the past though is large. I've seen almost every major step in the evolution of life being labeled as a filter, and there's sometimes reference class tennis issues with them, especially when connected to developments that aren't as obviously necessary for intelligent life.

Comment author: NancyLebovitz 27 June 2013 05:07:20PM 0 points [-]

I have a notion that the proportion of sociopaths is a filter as the tech level goes up-- spam is a problem, though more of a dead-weight loss than a disaster. If we get to the point of home build-a-virus kits, it might be a civilization-stopper. Was this on the list?

Comment author: JoshuaZ 27 June 2013 05:14:15PM 0 points [-]

I think that was included, the point that as tech goes up many heavily devastating weapons become substantially easier for individuals to make/possess was discussed. We're also already seeing that now. The amount of damage a single person with a gun could do has gone up over time, and we now have 3D printed guns. So do it yourself viruses looks like part of a general trend.