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If there is a significant die-off in industrial nations it could lead to a major delay in the singularity, perhaps making it impossible altogether. http://www.
by indrax 16y ago
If there is a significant die-off in industrial nations it could lead to a major delay in the singularity, perhaps making it impossible altogether.
http://www.nickbostrom.com/existential/risks.html http://www.nickbostrom.com/existential/risks.html
In these terms this could be a 'crunch'.
- jessriedel 16y agoImportance-wise, delays in the singularity are trivial compared to a risk of it not happening at all. So suppose we are worried that a die-off in industrial nations will actually make it impossible. Isn't this risk (that there is a major catastrophic disaster for industrialized nations and this disaster prevents a singularity from ever taking place) much smaller than the risk that the singularity goes badly when it happens? If so, then this supports the spirit of my original comment: worrying about the singularity going well is more pressing than worrying about major shocks to civilization which do not completely wipe out humanity.
- jessriedel 16y agoThe badness of a delayed singularity is insignificant to the badness of it never happening. So let's consider the latter. Isn't the risk that a large industrial collapse happens and it prevents a singularity from ever taking place much smaller than the risk that the singularity goes badly? If so, then this agrees with the spirit of my comment: worrying about the singularity going well is much more pressing than worrying about catastrophes that do not immediately wipe out humanity.