3 ms·

2023, no mention of AI (which I consider hugely positive; AI that is, not lack of mention). Still, I appreciate the creativity. It's a great list, some stuff I

2023, no mention of AI (which I consider hugely positive; AI that is, not lack of mention). Still, I appreciate the creativity. It's a great list, some stuff I didn't know about. #96 (Azerbaijan/Armenia relations breakthrough) seems like really squinting to see a glass half full considering all of 2023. Here's to more in 2024, including breakthroughs in seemingly intractable and stupid conflicts!

tarruda 3y ago
> which I consider hugely positive; AI that is, Why do you think AI is hugely positive? Maybe I'm a pessimist, but I see no good outcomes from the excessive automation that will result from advances in AI. It can make the world better to the very few that are in a position to leverage it, but will result in jobs disappearing for most of humanity.
- mlinksva 3y ago
  We are incredibly wealthy by historical standards (see also Gapminder's long term trends linked from the OP https://www.gapminder.org/facts/improvements/ https://www.gapminder.org/facts/improvements/) because all of the jobs of yore have disappeared, many times over, from "excessive" automation and other productivty increases. More please!
- lovecg 3y ago
  Off the top of my head, protein folding and drug discovery have a huge potential to be extremely positive.
- roenxi 3y ago
  The point of life is not to have a job. Although exactly what the point is after that is a religious question and hotly contested. Although uncomfortable in the short term, there is simply no point people doing work that could be profitably automated. There is great benefit to be had from abundance. So far pretty much all the economic upside has gone to the masses. The wealthy have much higher nominal wealth and no way to use it for themselves that hasn't existed in all of history. In fact, the lack of modern pyramids like what was built in Egypt suggests they're using resources even more consistently for the common good instead of monumental waste (heh).
abhayhegde 3y ago
> (which I consider hugely positive; AI that is, not lack of mention). Hugely positive for whom? A big mega corporation? The average human being stands to benefit minimally, but in the long run things don't like too good if everything is up for automation.
- relativ575 3y ago
  Automation is always a good thing in the long run for the society collectively. If you have a counter example of bad automation please elaborate. It's the short term pain, or individual lost that needs to be addressed.
- mlinksva 3y ago
  See my reply to a similar sibling https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38775375 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38775375

tarruda 3y ago

> which I consider hugely positive; AI that is, Why do you think AI is hugely positive? Maybe I'm a pessimist, but I see no good outcomes from the excessive automation that will result from advances in AI. It can make the world better to the very few that are in a position to leverage it, but will result in jobs disappearing for most of humanity.

mlinksva 3y ago
We are incredibly wealthy by historical standards (see also Gapminder's long term trends linked from the OP https://www.gapminder.org/facts/improvements/ https://www.gapminder.org/facts/improvements/) because all of the jobs of yore have disappeared, many times over, from "excessive" automation and other productivty increases. More please!
lovecg 3y ago
Off the top of my head, protein folding and drug discovery have a huge potential to be extremely positive.
roenxi 3y ago
The point of life is not to have a job. Although exactly what the point is after that is a religious question and hotly contested. Although uncomfortable in the short term, there is simply no point people doing work that could be profitably automated. There is great benefit to be had from abundance. So far pretty much all the economic upside has gone to the masses. The wealthy have much higher nominal wealth and no way to use it for themselves that hasn't existed in all of history. In fact, the lack of modern pyramids like what was built in Egypt suggests they're using resources even more consistently for the common good instead of monumental waste (heh).

abhayhegde 3y ago

> (which I consider hugely positive; AI that is, not lack of mention). Hugely positive for whom? A big mega corporation? The average human being stands to benefit minimally, but in the long run things don't like too good if everything is up for automation.

relativ575 3y ago
Automation is always a good thing in the long run for the society collectively. If you have a counter example of bad automation please elaborate. It's the short term pain, or individual lost that needs to be addressed.
mlinksva 3y ago
See my reply to a similar sibling https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38775375 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38775375