> what do you care what other people study? I watched people with genuine potential (Eliezer Y., for instance) turn from groundbreaking AI work to writing "AI

> what do you care what other people study? I watched people with genuine potential (Eliezer Y., for instance) turn from groundbreaking AI work to writing "AI might kill us all!" screeds and recycled mathematics. A decade ago I was half-certain that he would eventually invent an artificial general intelligence. Now I am equally certain that he never will. Philosophizing and screaming "Caution!" is simply too much fun - and too lucrative. Ever wonder why he doesn't have to slave away at a day job like the rest of us? > Research is like buying lottery tickets, except you have no idea how big the payoff could be The "Friendly AI" crowd is engaged in navel gazing, rather than research. > doesn't it make sense to support the development of a transhumanist intelligence? Yes, and I do support it. Whereas the Friendly AI enthusiasts are retarding such development, not only by failing to volunteer their own efforts but through frightening and discouraging others.