Monday, March 26, 2012

Existential Risk

Interesting piece in the Atlantic about how we're underestimating the probability that the technology we create will ultimately kill us:

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/03/were-underestimating-the-risk-of-human-extinction/253821/

I eat this stuff up, in particular his simulation argument. The idea being that exactly one of the following must be true:
1) All civilizations go extinct before reaching technological maturity.
2) All technologically mature civilizations lose interest in creating computer simulations detailed enough detailed enough that the simulated minds within them would be conscious.
3) We're living in a computer simulation.
Let's hope for #3... I think.

2 comments:

  1. The twenty-first century is a chump century. If you need me, I'll be in the eighties.

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  2. Also does this mean the matrix is real? Keanu really can reshape the fabric of reality!

    ...no wonder he keeps landing acting roles

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