4 ms·

Sure, but that's a discussion similar to "what happens when the sun has finally run out of juice and it gets dark forever": potentially entertaining, probably h

Sure, but that's a discussion similar to "what happens when the sun has finally run out of juice and it gets dark forever": potentially entertaining, probably highly interesting to academics, but hopefully not weighing in too much on our energy policy for this century. I don't think "what if we automate everything" helps us understand the present any more than "what if energy was unlimited" or "what if gravity was a social construct": they aren't, so if you're looking to base a decision on that being differently, you're going to be in for a wild ride, and if you're looking for answers to questions like "do all people want to work?", "is all work equally liked?" etc, I'm not sure what insight is to be gained, the answers are "No."

latexr 4y ago
> I don't think "what if we automate everything" helps us understand the present any more than "what if energy was unlimited" When you imagine the future societal transformation of a particular development, you do so under your understanding of the current zeitgeist. Again, that’s what science fiction is. It helps you formulate your thoughts on the current state of affairs and compare them to what others think. I’m under no illusion that commenting on an admittedly science fictional scenario on a random web forum will enact societal change. Were I a politician making those points in public, you’d do well to call me out. But I’m not. I’m a random poster on a random website musing on an imagined scenario. > potentially entertaining In other words, that’s what I’m doing it for and I see nothing wrong with it. As far as I’m aware I’m not causing harm. > I'm not sure what insight is to be gained Respectfully, because you cannot see it does not mean it is not there. Even the simple act of enjoying a conversation is a beneficial outcome. Maybe it will be helpful in the future, maybe it will not, but I don’t think we should only converse when we have a goal in mind. That would be a boring existence.

latexr 4y ago

> I don't think "what if we automate everything" helps us understand the present any more than "what if energy was unlimited" When you imagine the future societal transformation of a particular development, you do so under your understanding of the current zeitgeist. Again, that’s what science fiction is. It helps you formulate your thoughts on the current state of affairs and compare them to what others think. I’m under no illusion that commenting on an admittedly science fictional scenario on a random web forum will enact societal change. Were I a politician making those points in public, you’d do well to call me out. But I’m not. I’m a random poster on a random website musing on an imagined scenario. > potentially entertaining In other words, that’s what I’m doing it for and I see nothing wrong with it. As far as I’m aware I’m not causing harm. > I'm not sure what insight is to be gained Respectfully, because you cannot see it does not mean it is not there. Even the simple act of enjoying a conversation is a beneficial outcome. Maybe it will be helpful in the future, maybe it will not, but I don’t think we should only converse when we have a goal in mind. That would be a boring existence.