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JohnGreer
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No-Bullshit Optimization/Risk Reduction, Life Extension, EA, Rationality, Startups, Film, MMA. Larry David is my spirit animal.
Read my posts or connect with me: https://www.johncgreer.com/
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This is cross-posted from my blog. “Eight villages in our district have had significant to total structural damage from mudslides. Furthermore, the weather conditions conducive to mudslides have only been increasing in the past decade.” Professor Cristian Avendaño clicked the button and a list of temperatures, wind conditions, and annual rainfall popped up on the screen. He looked every bit the absent-minded professor in his weathered sport coat with elbow patches. But his mind was far from absent. “As you can see, the water accumulation is a serious problem.” More graphs and figures appeared. The professor glanced up and saw half the council nodding politely and the other half trying to stifle yawns. Most of the villagers were on their phones or peering around the auditorium. If they would have read the slide, they would have seen that the professor’s model predicted the chances of a mudslide destroying their village were one in three in the next five years. The head of the council pressed down on his mic. “Thank you for your presentation, Professor. We’ll take your suggestions under advisement. Now, Ms. Zelada, you have something you’d like to speak to us about?” his voice perking up at the end. Eliza Zelada stood up confidently and smiled. “Yes, thank you, Councilman Ricardo.” Her stroll up to the lectern would have been equally at home on the runway with her long, red dress flowing around her. She leaned forward and tapped the mic. “I am here today to talk to you about a grave problem that requires our immediate action,” she said, spreading her arms out for effect. The villagers began sitting up in their seats and clearing their throats. The room was suddenly at attention. She clicked the remote. A giant photograph appeared on the screen. It was of a bunny huddled in a trash pile, surrounded by plastic bottles and dirty newspapers. Gasps filled the room. “Is the bunny okay, Mamá?” a little girl quietly sobbed. Eliza paused and took in the momen
I sat down with therapist and writer Damon Sasi, better known online as Daystar Eld, for one of the conversations I’ve found myself referencing most often since recording it. We talk about what’s bullshit and what isn’t in therapy, therapy for rationalists, and how to stay psychologically healthy when you...
This is cross-posted from my blog. We need more people on board for life extension in order to hit longevity escape velocity in our lifetimes. But most people have never heard of life extension, and even those who have often follow the same predictable arguments. “What if it doesn't work?”...
This is cross-posted from my blog and I interviewed him for a general audience rather than LessWrong people. I was lucky enough to interview Bill O’Rourke. Imagine you’re on a plane to Russia to become the new president of an aluminum factory. Conditions are abysmal. People are dying every year...
I’m a big life extension supporter but being unable to choose to die ever is a literal hell. As dark as it is, if these scenarios are likely, it seems the rational thing to do is die before AGI comes. Killing all of humanity is bad enough, but how concerned...
This is cross-posted from my blog. “Eight villages in our district have had significant to total structural damage from mudslides. Furthermore, the weather conditions conducive to mudslides have only been increasing in the past decade.” Professor Cristian Avendaño clicked the button and a list of temperatures, wind conditions, and annual...
This is cross-posted from my blog and is written more for a general audience rather than LessWrong people who will be more familiar with some of the relevant concepts. Robert McIntrye is an all-around smart and interesting dude, and he’s the CEO of Nectome, a startup devoted to preserving the...