Suppose we don't have a libertarian or private-law world as we move
forward. Can the modern liberal democracy work in a transhuman world?
How would we deal with the tremendous potential increase in diversity,
with a corresponding spread in ability levels? Some people will augment
themselves to be super-intelligent and have other powers. AIs may
come into existence with beyond human capabilities. How do those who
cherish the equalizing efforts of western governments propose to address
these changes?
Should such transformations be outlawed? If equality is a guiding
principle, is it fair that a wealthy man can make himself more
intelligent, giving himself even further advantages? Can we expect to tax
away their gains if they become clever enough to evade the regulations?
And what if we see new forms of intelligent life? Not every AI may be
superhuman. We might have enhanced systems everywhere we turn, up to the
intelligent drains from Josh Storrs Hall's parody. Which of these will
be eligible for the dole? How do we equalize the lot of a restaurant's
automated purchasing agent and a strategic economic planning AI?
The modern view is that government can smooth the path of life and
equalize some of the unfairness. But it is hard to see how this can
translate to the kind of world we envision.
Has anyone done any work on this problem? Is this kind of thing
discussed on the non-extropian transhumanist lists? Extropians take
quite a beating for their adherence to principles of non-coercion and
voluntarism. Do the redistributionists have a better plan for the future?
Hal
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