Executive summary: The concept of “TESCREALism” highlights some common assumptions in Silicon Valley, but it oversimplifies diverse views and fails to demonstrate that longtermists and others are sacrificing present wellbeing for speculative future benefits.
Key points:
TESCREALism usefully points out common assumptions behind many Silicon Valley debates, but it often depicts a diverse range of views as a monolithic, dangerous ideology.
Concern about thought experiments is better directed at analytic philosophy in general. Longtermists acknowledge the need to “get off the crazy train” and not always follow arguments to extreme conclusions.
Longtermism rearranges but doesn’t replace moral priorities. It may even increase the importance of present-day issues like climate change. Factual disagreements drive differences in prioritization.
The piece argues that Émile Torres’ proposed solutions, like halting technological progress, would be far more destructive to present-day wellbeing than longtermist ideas.
Specific important questions remain about the development of advanced AI and other emerging technologies. Critiques of “TESCREALism” do little to clarify them.
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 concept of “TESCREALism” highlights some common assumptions in Silicon Valley, but it oversimplifies diverse views and fails to demonstrate that longtermists and others are sacrificing present wellbeing for speculative future benefits.
Key points:
TESCREALism usefully points out common assumptions behind many Silicon Valley debates, but it often depicts a diverse range of views as a monolithic, dangerous ideology.
Concern about thought experiments is better directed at analytic philosophy in general. Longtermists acknowledge the need to “get off the crazy train” and not always follow arguments to extreme conclusions.
Longtermism rearranges but doesn’t replace moral priorities. It may even increase the importance of present-day issues like climate change. Factual disagreements drive differences in prioritization.
The piece argues that Émile Torres’ proposed solutions, like halting technological progress, would be far more destructive to present-day wellbeing than longtermist ideas.
Specific important questions remain about the development of advanced AI and other emerging technologies. Critiques of “TESCREALism” do little to clarify them.
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.