Executive summary: The author introduces two contrasting dynamics—lock-in escape velocity (how short-term entrenchment can snowball into indefinite control) and bootstrapping to viatopia (how small, feasible steps toward reflection and cooperation could extend into long-term global wisdom and flourishing)—arguing that modest, incremental pauses or reforms may be our best path to sustainable progress amid transformative technologies like AGI.
Key points:
Lock-in escape velocity: Brief periods of political or technological entrenchment can self-reinforce, making indefinite lock-in more likely even without initial intent.
Early points of no return: Societal paths can become irreversible before mechanisms for full persistence exist, especially given near-term AGI risks.
Bootstrapping to viatopia: The same self-reinforcing dynamic could enable progress toward a “viatopia”—a society on track for near-best outcomes—by starting with small, achievable steps that extend reflection and coordination over time.
Illustrative example: A one-month pause on frontier AI development could naturally evolve into a longer pause, allowing decisions to adapt with better information and wiser deliberation.
Broader application: Short, renewable commitments—like a one-month global constitutional convention—might build toward enduring, reflective global governance.
Core insight: Even if humanity lacks the wisdom for long, responsible reflection now, we might bootstrap it—creating conditions where society learns, step by step, to pause, deliberate, and choose well.
This comment was auto-generated by the EA Forum Team. Feel free to point out issues with this summary by replying to the comment, andcontact us if you have feedback.
Executive summary: The author introduces two contrasting dynamics—lock-in escape velocity (how short-term entrenchment can snowball into indefinite control) and bootstrapping to viatopia (how small, feasible steps toward reflection and cooperation could extend into long-term global wisdom and flourishing)—arguing that modest, incremental pauses or reforms may be our best path to sustainable progress amid transformative technologies like AGI.
Key points:
Lock-in escape velocity: Brief periods of political or technological entrenchment can self-reinforce, making indefinite lock-in more likely even without initial intent.
Early points of no return: Societal paths can become irreversible before mechanisms for full persistence exist, especially given near-term AGI risks.
Bootstrapping to viatopia: The same self-reinforcing dynamic could enable progress toward a “viatopia”—a society on track for near-best outcomes—by starting with small, achievable steps that extend reflection and coordination over time.
Illustrative example: A one-month pause on frontier AI development could naturally evolve into a longer pause, allowing decisions to adapt with better information and wiser deliberation.
Broader application: Short, renewable commitments—like a one-month global constitutional convention—might build toward enduring, reflective global governance.
Core insight: Even if humanity lacks the wisdom for long, responsible reflection now, we might bootstrap it—creating conditions where society learns, step by step, to pause, deliberate, and choose well.
This comment was auto-generated by the EA Forum Team. Feel free to point out issues with this summary by replying to the comment, and contact us if you have feedback.