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If you find this line of argument compelling, consider another alternative: engineering an organism which is much smaller and consumes far fewer resources than
by RodgerTheGreat 2y ago
If you find this line of argument compelling, consider another alternative: engineering an organism which is much smaller and consumes far fewer resources than shrimp but which exists in a neurologically stable state of perpetual bliss. The survival and replication of this species of biological prayer-wheels would rapidly become a far stronger moral imperative (within the logic of the article) than any consideration for shrimp, or indeed humans.
- sodality2 2y agoI don't think this is the same at all. Creation of good is not necessarily as good as avoidance of harm is bad.
- VyseofArcadia 2y agoIt depends on your goals, right? If your goal is "maximize total happiness", then engineering blisshrimp is obviously the winning play. If your goal is "minimize total suffering", than the play is to engineer something that 1. experiences no suffering, 2. is delicious, and 3. outcompetes existing shrimp so we don't have to worry about their suffering anymore. Ideally we'd engineer something that is in a state of perpetual bliss and wants to be eaten, not unlike the cows in Restaurant at the End of the Universe.
- sodality2 2y ago> If your goal is "minimize total suffering", than the play is to engineer something that 1. experiences no suffering, 2. is delicious, and 3. outcompetes existing shrimp so we don't have to worry about their suffering anymore. Eh, only if you're minimizing suffering per living being. Not total suffering. Having more happy creatures doesn't cancel out the sad ones. But I see what you mean.
- Vecr 2y ago> Eh, only if you're minimizing suffering per living being. Not total suffering. Having more happy creatures doesn't cancel out the sad ones. But I see what you mean. According to this guy it does.
- 0xDEAFBEAD 2y agoIf you start that charity, I think there's a decent chance the substack author will write a blog post about it. Seems like a great idea to me.
- VyseofArcadia 2y agoPrayer wheels is an excellent example of where this kind of logic leads. Kudos to you for making the connection.
- BenthamsBulldog 2y agoBut thinking that extreme suffering is bad doesn't require thinking that wireheading for tons of pleasure is good.