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> [T]echnology is about taking what’s out there in the world, and harnessing it for human purposes. Technology is indeed about transforming existing nature int

> [T]echnology is about taking what’s out there in the world, and harnessing it for human purposes. Technology is indeed about transforming existing nature into utility and producing waste thrown back into nature. Knowing what we know about current terrifying climate and ecological breakdown, it's astonishing that Wolfram doesn't include it in any way in his visions. Even at the current pace nature regenerates far too slow to withstand this "progress", let alone in the visions in this article. New technology is a choice to destroy nature for utility. Are we sure that utility is worth it?

ChatGTP 4y ago
We're not even sure what we're building and why, it's almost like we're just being driven to build something and it's outside of our control. It's pretty fascinating, maybe it's just really a part of nature and evolution, so maybe while for biological animals it's nonsensical, I guess it's something the universe wants to see happen? It's deep sure, but I' not sure what else can be said for it.
CatWChainsaw 4y ago
I don't find it that astonishing. People who see progress and technology as ends to themselves, and inherently good, have an entwined faith that technology will solve all our problems. (Which, at a fundamental level, technology caused in the first place - you can't argue that even if you also can't argue with the rise in standard of living from cavemen days.) The idea that we might destroy ourselves with AI is talked about with a cool calmness, as though it is the natural progression of things, pun intended. But the idea that we might fail to usurp ourselves because we run out of livable planet on which to stage the usurping is unfathomable to this crowd, and somehow more horrifying than the dystopias they blithely discuss.
- antibasilisk 4y ago
  Reminds me very much of the introduction to Industrial Society and its Future

ChatGTP 4y ago

We're not even sure what we're building and why, it's almost like we're just being driven to build something and it's outside of our control. It's pretty fascinating, maybe it's just really a part of nature and evolution, so maybe while for biological animals it's nonsensical, I guess it's something the universe wants to see happen? It's deep sure, but I' not sure what else can be said for it.

CatWChainsaw 4y ago

I don't find it that astonishing. People who see progress and technology as ends to themselves, and inherently good, have an entwined faith that technology will solve all our problems. (Which, at a fundamental level, technology caused in the first place - you can't argue that even if you also can't argue with the rise in standard of living from cavemen days.) The idea that we might destroy ourselves with AI is talked about with a cool calmness, as though it is the natural progression of things, pun intended. But the idea that we might fail to usurp ourselves because we run out of livable planet on which to stage the usurping is unfathomable to this crowd, and somehow more horrifying than the dystopias they blithely discuss.

antibasilisk 4y ago
Reminds me very much of the introduction to Industrial Society and its Future