From: Robin Hanson (rhanson@gmu.edu)
Date: Fri Sep 22 2000 - 19:38:35 MDT
We want to change ourselves, to make ourselves richer, smarter, and more
able.
And others don't seem terribly excited by this. Why? One simple theory is
that
they are afraid of what we would do with such powers.
If you need a vivid demonstration, try the following question on people you
know:
"A random person in the world will be chosen, and you get this choice:
a) Let them have $X more worth of real resources (such as by telling them
where
to find an oil reserve that would otherwise remain unfound.)
b) Nothing happens.
Which do you choose?
Caveats: You don't get to learn who it is before you choose. They never
learn
that it was you that allowed them this benefit."
If you let X be a million or more dollars worth, most people will choose
nothing.
They will explain that it could be another Hitler, and they wouldn't want
to be
responsible for that. Which I find pretty amazing.
Interesting variations:
1) How large would X be before you switch to picking nothing?
2) Let the choice be about whether to give one "wish" (where the standard
restrictions apply, e.g., no wishing for more wishes).
3) Instead of choosing to increase their wealth, let the choice be about
whether to increase their looks, charisma, intelligence, or lifespan.
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