Anders Sandberg wrote:
>
> On Thu, Aug 02, 2001 at 04:37:55PM -0400, Brian Atkins wrote:
> > Eugene Leitl wrote:
> > >
> > > On Thu, 2 Aug 2001, Brian Atkins wrote:
> > >
> > > > Actually it may be possible to escape this paradox via technology.
> > > > Ever read about the Sysop Scenario?
> > >
> > > I personally much prefer the Santa scenario, reindeer, elves, sleigh, and
> > > all.
> > >
> > > Really, changing people's attitudes is hard work. By mentioning
> > > implausible magic fairy dust scenarios you're not helping.
> >
> > I don't see what's implausible about it. It's a pretty well accepted
> > future solar system scenario.
>
> AHOOGA! AHOOGA! Groupthink warning!
>
> It has been considered here on this list and in Extropy, perhaps in a
> few sf novels, but thats it. It is 'well accepted' by a very small group
> of people, who of course spend much time talking to each other. So to
> them it seems that many more people hold that view than really do.
>
> If you ask a representative cross section of (say) american citizens or
> intellectuals about the scenario, you will get mainly blank stares,
> quite a few laughs and some explaining to you that it must be wrong
> because computers cannot think or similar arguments. To most people a
> future just like today but with a few more toys is a well accepted
> scenario, anything else is out.
>
> Basing one's interactions with the public on what one believes to be
> rational or likely rather than what *they* consider to be rational and
> likely (even if you think they are utterly wrong) will simply not work.
> To communicate you need to understand how to express things in other
> people's realities.
>
I understand what you're saying Anders but it seems irrelevant. If I
wait around until the general public understands what I'm talking about,
well that will be a long time most likely :-) I wasn't aware that we
were now restricted on the Extropians list to only discussing things
that the majority of the world agrees on :-) If I was talking in "public"
I would not of course say what I said.
So, I still hold that it not implausible or wishful thinking as Eugene
would have everyone believe. It is a real possible scenario that can
be thoughtfully considered, and even worked towards.
-- Brian Atkins Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence http://www.singinst.org/
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