"You do realize that they were trying to have a rational discussion here, right?"

Rational is another HPMoR red flag word.

All rational means is "follows a rationale," or a rules system. Astrology, anti-vaxxing, belief in Hermetic magic, and chemtrails, while all ridiculous and incorrect, are also fully rational. So is Dungeons and Dragons, or internalizing Star Trek lore.

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"They're pretty unambiguously asking for information and trying to understand your viewpoint."

And I gave it, clearly and politely.

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"If AGI is the wrong term to use"

No, it's not the wrong term to use. Swap it with a synonym and you have the same problem.

Look. What if I started rambling about fixing aging? Like, straight up immortality. Would you think I was a compelling medical light, or an outsider with dreams that don't make sense given today's realities?

Flying cars? Pocket fusion devices?

"bUt ThEyRe ScIeNtIfIcAlLy PoSsIbLe"

It doesn't matter if I'm "using the wrong term." I could call them aerial vehicles, floating carriages, hover-Datsuns, whatever you want.

The problem is the idea. Anyone who's plying these ideas has completely missed the boat, and doesn't recognize that they're reciting bad science fiction.

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"The idea of a self aware AI is a little difficult for most people to define"

I see you're still missing the boat.

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"don't you think it's important that people be able to discuss the topic?"

It is approximately as important as discussing vampire repellant strategies.