From: Scott Badger (wbadger@psyberlink.net)
Date: Sat Apr 10 1999 - 22:15:00 MDT
Eliezer wrote:
> Scott Badger wrote:
> >
> > He told Morpheus that the
> > original simulation was a paradise for humans, but it didn't work out
> > because there's something about human nature that prevents us from
adapting
> > to such an environment. It would seem that we are wired for misery.
Very
> > non-transhumanistic I must say. And wouldn't that idea suggest that
humans
> > would not be able to adapt to heaven if it existed?
>
> What on Earth do you think you're thinking?
> You're reasoning from your ideals to reality!
>
> In fact, it seems perfectly reasonably to assume that the human brain is
> no more designed to be happy and immortal than it is designed to run
> spreadsheets. Condition not present in ancestral environment. Limited
> memory capacity, emotional problems. Major redesign required.
Yes. I agree that it is perfectly reasonable to assume that the human brain
is no more designed to be happy and immortal than it is designed to run
spreadsheets. But I didn't make the claim that the brain was designed to be
happy or immortal or predisposed to run spreadsheets. I just said that I
disagreed with the idea proposed in the film that the brain is designed to
be unable to adapt to highly favorable environments. Human behavior is much
to flexible and adaptive to make such a sweeping proposal about the species.
Fact is, a large percentage of us seem to be adapting quite nicely to what
is, relative to the past, a highly favorable environment. And I expect that
trend to continue.
Scott
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