Universal Moral Core Principle 2
The second principle in my proposed Universal Moral Core (UMC) is as follows: Accept the responsibility that comes from power. This principle is inspired by the great font of philosophical wisdom that is Spider-Man. As a fun aside, while in movies and newer comics this line is credited to Peter Parker’s guardian, Uncle Ben, it originally appeared in the closing narration of the issue of Amazing Fantasy that introduced Spider-Man. Let me start by pointing out that the principle only applies wh...
Universal Moral Core Principle 2
The second principle in my proposed Universal Moral Core (UMC) is as follows: Accept the responsibility that comes from power. This principle is inspired by the great font of philosophical wisdom that is Spider-Man. As a fun aside, while in movies and newer comics this line is credited to Peter Parker’s guardian, Uncle Ben, it originally appeared in the closing narration of the issue of Amazing Fantasy that introduced Spider-Man. Let me start by pointing out that the principle only applies wh...
Slowing Down the Race to Superintelligence
Earlier this week, Gigi and I signed the Statement on Superintelligence and explained our rationale. Today the promised follow up post with a concrete proposal for a plan. There is a unique moment of opportunity for a negotiated AI slowdown with China with limits on how many GW of additional data centers can be built. Recursive self improvement, which is the next step in the race, is heavily dependent on massive capacity additions, so that even such a coarse agreement would provide a signific...
Slowing Down the Race to Superintelligence
Earlier this week, Gigi and I signed the Statement on Superintelligence and explained our rationale. Today the promised follow up post with a concrete proposal for a plan. There is a unique moment of opportunity for a negotiated AI slowdown with China with limits on how many GW of additional data centers can be built. Recursive self improvement, which is the next step in the race, is heavily dependent on massive capacity additions, so that even such a coarse agreement would provide a signific...
Signing the Statement on Superintelligence
Gigi and I have signed the Statement on Superintelligence, which calls for a pause on the development of superintelligence. This blog post lays out our rationale for doing so now after having previously held off on supporting other “pause AI” appeals. We have a broad set of initiatives in the Hudson Valley and beyond aimed at securing human thriving in the AI age. These include a basic income pilot, various steward ownership projects, and a community learning center. Two preconditions appear,...
Signing the Statement on Superintelligence
Gigi and I have signed the Statement on Superintelligence, which calls for a pause on the development of superintelligence. This blog post lays out our rationale for doing so now after having previously held off on supporting other “pause AI” appeals. We have a broad set of initiatives in the Hudson Valley and beyond aimed at securing human thriving in the AI age. These include a basic income pilot, various steward ownership projects, and a community learning center. Two preconditions appear,...
Philosophy Mondays: Human Nature and Multiscale Analysis
Today’s post is an interlude in the Universal Moral Core series to discuss human nature. Given how much philosophical and other writing centers on different ideas of human nature, including the endless nature versus nurture debate, this aside obviously isn’t meant to be some kind of definitive treatment. Rather I want to set out an argument about the importance of multiscale analysis that appears all too often absent from human nature discussions and is central to making moral progress. We ar...
Philosophy Mondays: Human Nature and Multiscale Analysis
Today’s post is an interlude in the Universal Moral Core series to discuss human nature. Given how much philosophical and other writing centers on different ideas of human nature, including the endless nature versus nurture debate, this aside obviously isn’t meant to be some kind of definitive treatment. Rather I want to set out an argument about the importance of multiscale analysis that appears all too often absent from human nature discussions and is central to making moral progress. We ar...
Universal Moral Core Principle 1: Implications
In last week's post I explained the first principle of the Universal Moral Core (UMC) in greater detail. Today I want to investigate some of its implications for how we should behave. As a reminder, earlier in the series, I suggested that the goal of philosophy should be to help us answer the following question: How should we choose our actions in light of our understanding of reality and the potential impact of our actions on this reality (which happens to include how we and others are feeli...
Universal Moral Core Principle 1: Implications
In last week's post I explained the first principle of the Universal Moral Core (UMC) in greater detail. Today I want to investigate some of its implications for how we should behave. As a reminder, earlier in the series, I suggested that the goal of philosophy should be to help us answer the following question: How should we choose our actions in light of our understanding of reality and the potential impact of our actions on this reality (which happens to include how we and others are feeli...
Gritt
Announcing our Series A Investment
Alqem
Announcing our seed investment in AI-discovered, rare-earth-free magnets
Alqem
Announcing our seed investment in AI-discovered, rare-earth-free magnets
