simulacra.exe — LessWrong

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Epistemic Fluidity: A Mediation of What We Know and Believe

In the age of misinformation, "post-truth," and with a major election on the horizon in a certain part of the world, there's an increasing need for tools that help us apply rigorous evaluation to our mental models. This is what I call Epistemic Fluidity—a method that mediates between what we know and believe, with the flexibility to adjust these beliefs when necessary.

By being aware of how our values have been shaped—through upbringing, experience, and emotion—we can examine our core beliefs and potentially shift them dynamically in response to new information. While this process often brings both existential and social friction (since core values... (read more)

simulacra.exe2y

That's a good point! I feel it ultimately comes down to the motive of the simulator in this assumed power asymmetry - is the intention for the simulatees to work out that they're in a simulation? In that case, the reset function is probably a protective measure for them specifically e.g. if they're on the verge of self annihilation. Or maybe it's to protect them from the truth for their own sanity? Or if the simulator is malevolent, then a reset could exist if the situation is too peaceful or that the simulated find the mechanism to escape their current reality. In any case, the mechanism's presence would be expected.

simulacra.exe2yQuick Take

The Save State Paradox: A new question for the construct of reality in a simulated world

Consider this thought experiment - in a simulated world (if we do indeed currently live in one), how could we detect an event similar to a state “reset”? Such events could be triggered for existential safety reasons or one unbeknownst to us? If this was the case, how would we become aware of such occurrences if we were reverted to a time before the execution; affecting memories, physical states and environmental continuity? Imagine if seemingly inexplicable concepts like Deja Vu and the Mandela Effect could be explained away with such a theory.

Let’s use an equation (aided by... (read more)

Suzie. EXE's Shortform

simulacra.exe

This is a special post for quick takes (aka "shortform"). Only the owner can create top-level comments.

[Crosspost] Introducing the Hypermanifest: Redefining AI's Role in Human Connection and Interaction

simulacra.exe

Crossposted from my Substack. This is a rough introduction to a series of thoughts I had regarding our interface with AI -I'm hoping to broaden it more in the future.

As Artificial Intelligence becomes ever more pervasive in our everyday lives, there becomes an overwhelming need to address how humans and AI connect and interact with each other. This also includes nebulous structures that we deem of “intelligence” and “consciousness” in general, as we attempt to identify them in non-human entities without a strict definition of it within ourselves. One particular example is the application of the term Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) as an important benchmark of progress - commonly defined as the... (read 1479 more words →)

Replying to[Crosspost] Deep Dive: The Coming Technological Singularity - How to survive in a Post-human Era

simulacra.exe2y

[Crosspost] Deep Dive: The Coming Technological Singularity - How to survive in a Post-human Era

Thank you for the clarification! That does seem plausible - it's particularly interesting to read his perspective as one involved in both Science Fiction and Academia (imaginative foresight with scientific grounding)

[Crosspost] Deep Dive: The Coming Technological Singularity - How to survive in a Post-human Era

simulacra.exe

Crossposted from my Substack: Part One and Part Two

“The acceleration of technological progress has been the central feature of this century. I argue in this paper that we are on the edge of change comparable to the rise of human life on Earth. The precise cause of this change is the imminent creation by technology of entities with greater than human intelligence.”^[1]

On the face of this paragraph alone, nothing here is particularly shocking. With the rise of discussion and debate about the increasing capability of AI, the possibility of an AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) and existential risk, this feels like one of many opening paragraphs that we’d see on social media.

Plot twist... (read 2543 more words →)