I’m not sold on the cluelessness-type critique of long-termism. The arguments here focus on things we might do now or soon to reduce the direct risk posed by various things such as AI, bio or nuclear war. But even if this is true, this doesn’t undermine the expected value of other long-termist activities.
Gathering more information about the direct risks. If we are clueless about what to do, the value of information from further research must be extremely high, on long-termism.
Building the community of people concerned about the long-term e.g. through community building.
Investing in the stock market and punting the “what to do” question to the future.
I’m not sold on the cluelessness-type critique of long-termism. The arguments here focus on things we might do now or soon to reduce the direct risk posed by various things such as AI, bio or nuclear war. But even if this is true, this doesn’t undermine the expected value of other long-termist activities.
Gathering more information about the direct risks. If we are clueless about what to do, the value of information from further research must be extremely high, on long-termism.
Building the community of people concerned about the long-term e.g. through community building.
Investing in the stock market and punting the “what to do” question to the future.