Outsideobsserver's Shortform
Aug 6, 20252
Outsideobsserver
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This is a special post for quick takes (aka "shortform"). Only the owner can create top-level comments.
Epistemic status: Hot take, do not expect many or any to agree with me but it’s something that has been ruminating with me recently and I am curious for discussion.
Many technofurturists/optimist are are highly divocred front the genuine sentiment and societal understanding of technology’s use for the layperson. Many of the people do not wish to have ultra high tech, ai powered appliances like washer/dryers, fridges, TVs etc. in nearly every aspect of our lives. While tech will and has accelerate humans advancement (and more swiftly heighten existential risk), the perverse nature of tech CEOs, billionaires and to a lesser extent politicians through their lobbies/think tanks precludes them from actually understanding the needs of the masses. Many great things could be done with the tools available to us now, including narrow, hyper specific AI models, but the Molochian nature of capitalism and profit chasing mentalities will either lead to civilizational collapse or extinction.
Hi there!
I apologize for not responding to this very insightful comment, I really appreciate your perspective on my admittedly scatter brained thought parent comment. Your comment definitely has caused me to reflect a-bit on my own, and updated me away slightly from my original position.
I feel I may have been a bit ignorant to the actual state of PauseAI, as like I said in my original comments and replies it felt like an organization dangerously close to becoming orphaned from people’s thought processes. I’m glad to hear there are some ways around the issue I described. Maybe write a top level post about how this shift in understanding is benefiting your messaging to the general public? It may inform others of novel ways to spread a positive movement.
I appreciate your comment, and the work that the individuals of both organizations are attempting to do now, but I can’t help but feel my point was slightly missed.
It’s not that I wouldn’t support these organizations, or even the majority of laypersons would, it’s more simply that there’s a fatigue that comes with the style of protest and outreach these organizations do. There’s only so many dire warnings, so many pickett lines, so many cold calls and outreach before your target audiences becomes either overwhelmed and spirals in to a bout of severe depressions and anxiety (as I have many of times), or over saturated and dismissive since they see it as... (read more)
Hi there,
I just made an account to offer my anecdotes as an outside observer. I admit, I’m not well versed in the of AI, I’m only a college graduate with a focus on biomedicine. But as a person who found his way to this site following the 2023 letter about AI extinction, I’ve nearly constantly read as much information as I could process to understand the state and stakes of the AI Risk conversation. For what it’s worth, I applaud those who have the courage to speak about something that in the grand scheme of things is hard to discuss with people without sounding condescending, apathetic or crazy. For someone like me,... (read 437 more words →)