From: Anders Sandberg (asa@nada.kth.se)
Date: Mon Jun 24 2002 - 08:06:05 MDT
On Sun, Jun 23, 2002 at 10:06:11PM -0700, Robert J. Bradbury wrote:
>
> *BUT* you can't "replicate" systems of law or a cultural
> frameworks needed to support them in short periods of time.
> Installing them requires decades to generations. On the
> other hand technologies that *are* self-replicating (or
> can be produced in "growing" factories, in large numbers,
> using common materials and are extremely inexpensive [a rapid
> "exponential assembly" vs. a self-replication paradigm])
> would seem to have the properties required to solve these
> problems most quickly in an extropic fashion.
No. Treating a symptom (lack of food and lack of food production)
without dealing with the cause (lack of rule of law, lack of respect
for human rights) with replicating technology can be extremely
dangerous. If the leadership/thugs of such a region could use these
technologies to strengthen their hold, say by making weapons, they
would welcome them. If not, they would fight them. And the UN and most
relief organisations will not give help to regions if the local rulers
claim this is unwelcome.
Mugabe is currently halting the arrival of relief crops because they
cannot be proven not to be genetically enhanced! He is actually using
all the tricks of the West for his own ends. If somebody offered nano
seeds to grow food, shelter and purify water he would likely quote
Bill Joy and Fukuyama back.
I have always thought there is a need for a "nasty" aid organisation
that gives subversive, useful things directly to people, bypassing
whatever government they have. The microloan movement is a good first
approximation, but I would like to see something that would actually
airdrop satphones or nano seeds over hostile governments. But whatever
you give the people, the rulers will also have.
Even if you fix exponentially growing wealth, not getting rid of the
thugs will leave them to threaten and coerce people amid the wealth.
Institutional shifts does indeed take time. But it can be
helped by certain tech (communications) and by clearly promoting
certain memes (like freedom of the press; another interesting service
that ought to be set up: something like a free web for dissident
groups, linked to voice of america-like radio broadcasting stations on
international waters).
The idea that certain cultures are incapable of democracy and peace is
very likely totally wrong. But it is hard and takes time to get out of
bad institutions and vicious cycles.
-- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Anders Sandberg Towards Ascension! asa@nada.kth.se http://www.nada.kth.se/~asa/ GCS/M/S/O d++ -p+ c++++ !l u+ e++ m++ s+/+ n--- h+/* f+ g+ w++ t+ r+ !y
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