From: Robert J. Bradbury (bradbury@www.aeiveos.com)
Date: Tue Aug 31 1999 - 12:53:35 MDT
On Tue, 31 Aug 1999, Eliezer S. Yudkowsky wrote:
> Anders Sandberg wrote:
> >
> > Actually, we probably need more good studies of pros and cons of
> > transhumanists ideas put on the web, to show that we are actually
> > looking seriously at these issues. Otherwise people will get the wrong
> > impression and think we are just naive technophiles.
>
> Frankly, I think a fairly large percentage of you *are* naive
> technophiles. You think you can take controlled sips from a tidal wave.
>
The question is Eliezer, do you have any mountains where you live?
Maybe even the Pacific ocean?
If not, I think you be unexposed to the key things you may need
to bridge the gap between you and those of us who think this is
survivable.
I don't want to "sip" from a tidal wave, I want to *drive* it.
Failing that, then I'd at least hope to ride it.
Humans deal all the time with things that are *bigger* then they
are (re: climbing mountians, crossing oceans, etc.). Sometimes
we succeed and sometimes we don't. On a clear day I can see
Mt. Ranier, its a think of majestic beauty and awe. Its something
I could climb with some inherent risk level above that which
I normally prefer. It is also something that could easily destroy
me. The trick is for me to be clever enough to know how to adapt
-- whether by fleeing if the mountian suddenly starts smoking, or
climbing it if the ice caps melt [yes, I know that it isn't much
of a threat, but it makes the story better].
It isn't going to happen tomorrow. And if we don't have the
designs pre-done (which seems very doubtful unless we get
self-evolving AI that understands mechanical engineering),
then even when the technology becomes available we are still
going to have perhaps more time to adapt than I might have
if Mt. Ranier suddenly did a Mt. St. Helens.
And I for one object to being resembled to a naive technophile.
Now, the people using the BeOS, *they* clearly belong in
the technophile catagory... :-)
Robert
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