At 04:46 PM 3/24/00 -0500, Robin Hanson wrote:
>Another project is to create one or more widely-accessible
>low-transaction-cost web sites allowing general betting.
>Lots of betting on technology questions is the best way
>I know to improve how we learn about new technologies;
>betting markets help us share and combine info in ways
>that other social institutions just can not.
Technology questions for what outcome? If a plan or option is created with
regard to technologies' probable consequence, there must be an outcome of
something -- communication, transportion, life extension.
Now, I realize that we agree on the importance of technologies for the
purpose of extreme life extension, we may not agree on which ones to
promote. Whereas I think the one most important use of philanthropic money
would be to *increase the well being of humankind* by designing parallel
programs in science and technology to overcome death and disease, you are
not convinced that all methods are promising options. You do agree with me
that cryonics and uploading are part of extreme life extension and viable
investments.
In my view of extreme life extension (superlongevity), technology is the
course fueled by "creative" innovations and I think a pretty sure bet. For
example, I wouldn't bet (purchase stock) in Celera if I didn't carefully
research whether is a top dog and first-mover in an important, emerging
industry; has sustainable advantage gained through business momentum,
patent protection, visionaries, or inept competitors; has demonstrated
strong past share appreciation; good management and smart financial
backing; and has strong consumer appeal.
I think extreme life extension (based on technological and scientific
advances spurred by creative innovations) is a good bet whether a tangible
product or an idea future.
I agree with you that social institutions fall short in fast learning and
participation. One of the most widely publicized shared information
markets today is genomics, as evidenced by the mercurial nature of the
stock market -- which continues to move upward regardless of its falls.
>Yet another project is to explore the vast untouched
>space of possible forms of government. Because democracy
>seems better than monarchy, people seem to have concluded
>that current forms of democracy are the best there is.
>In fact, we have barely dipped our toe into the ocean
>of possible forms of government. (For an example of
>a very different possible form, as me about "futarchy.")
Please expand on futarchy Robin. Correct me if I am broadening the
blueprint on futarchy, but it seems to me that a furarchy would include
encouraging and supporting projects that aim to please people who want to
develop the technologies that will extend life immeasurably.
>The big projects I think of as a waste are most space,
>medicine, and education, and parenting projects.
As sub-projects, I think that endeavors that bring humankind a lot of
enthusiasm and enjoyment could certainly benefit humankind in enormous
ways. The sheer thrill of space exploration build our human esteem, and
the arts influences culture more than any other area of knowledge and
learning. If medicine includes the sciences and technologies that keeps
someone from dying, I do not think it a waste. Medicine functions as a
safety net to keep us alive and kicking. For more further out concepts
about extreme longevity, medicine helps us get there.
Natasha
Natasha Vita-More: http://www.natasha.cc
To Order the book: Create/Recreate: The 3rd Millennial Culture
http://www.natasha.cc/books.htm
Extropic Art & Transhumanist Arts Center: http://www.extropic-art.com
Transhuman Culture InfoMark: http://www.transhuman.org
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