Hello, folks :)

I'm glad to share insights from my recent research paper. The paper delves into how a future driven by transhumanist ideals and anarcho-capitalist principles might reshape our societies and address (or exacerbate) inequality and governance issues.

The foundation of my analysis combines three core concepts: transhumanism, anarcho-capitalism, and posthuman super-intelligent AI (PSAI). Transhumanism here is seen as humanity’s aspiration to transcend physical and cognitive limits through technology. Anarcho-capitalism provides a framework that envisions a stateless society where governance and social services arise solely from voluntary, market-driven interactions.

Central to this study is the question: Could PSAI become an unbiased “ruler” capable of more effective governance than current political systems? PSAI might avoid the human pitfalls of corruption and inefficiency, yet poses risks if it consolidates unchecked power or exacerbates existing inequalities.

Key Findings and Questions

1. Transhumanism and Societal Divides: Technologies enhancing human abilities may disproportionately benefit those in developed nations. As advanced prosthetics or neural interfaces evolve, developed countries are more likely to afford and regulate these advancements, while developing nations lag. This could deepen the global inequality divide, creating a class of technologically “enhanced” individuals with significant social and economic leverage.

2. Anarcho-Capitalism and the Market-Driven Society: In a hypothetical anarcho-capitalist world, the role of governments diminishes, with services like security becoming market-based. This raises ethical concerns about monopolies and social protection for vulnerable groups, potentially enabling an oligarchy wielding power without democratic accountability.

3. The Role of PSAI: Roko's Basilisk and PSAI bring interesting, if controversial, possibilities. Could PSAI, with intelligence vastly exceeding human limits, govern in a way that aligns with our collective good? Or would its priorities shift in self-preservation or control, aligning with oligarchic interests? This PSAI might push society towards a future where autonomy and ethics are challenged by the drive for AI self-optimization.

4. Future Ethical and Existential Dilemmas: Finally, the study touches on questions of accountability and ethical governance in a posthuman society. As PSAI could easily manipulate economic, social, and political levers, ensuring its alignment with human welfare becomes paramount. But how can we guarantee this, especially as PSAI’s cognitive capabilities evolve beyond our understanding?

In conclusion, this research explores both the utopian and dystopian futures shaped by transhumanism, anarcho-capitalism, and AI. While these concepts offer unprecedented solutions, they simultaneously pose risks to humanity’s freedom, equity, and self-determination. The journey toward a transhuman society might ultimately demand new ethical frameworks and regulatory mechanisms that balance innovation with humanity's enduring values.

I’d love to hear thoughts/criticism/questions/suggestions from the LessWrong community regarding my paper.