News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Skeptical optimists are the key to an abundant AI future by moffkalast on Friday April 07, 2023 @06:01PM (#35487568)
Well there is some historical precedent for optimism I suppose, since this isn't the first time we've invented something that can easily get out of control with disastrous consequences.

There have been so many close calls and cases when we could've nuked each other to oblivion and yet by some miracle we're not only still here today, but for the most part it's had a positive impact with greater levels of peace and sovereignty compared to most of history. So maybe we have a tiny chance at a Star Trek utopia.

Re:Skeptical optimists are the key to an abundant AI future by JohnFen on Friday April 07, 2023 @07:02PM (#35488230)
There is also historical precedent for pessimism. There have been numerous times that new tech has been released on an unprepared world and it has led to disaster.

So both optimism and pessimism are supportable positions. As would be expected when we're faced with an unknown future.

Re:Skeptical optimists are the key to an abundant AI future by m463 on Friday April 07, 2023 @07:43PM (#35488637)
> Well there is some historical precedent for optimism

I like the book "The Rational Optimist" by Matt Ridley

basically things have been getting better.

(personally I have my reservations about privacy, and "smart" devices)