[ExI] The Upload Game

[Damien Broderick]

At 01:11 PM 4/26/2008 +1000, Stathis wrote:

>Lee would say that it should be acceptable
>if you are destroyed with a short delay after your backup is made,
>provided that this is in exchange for some large enough benefit for
>the backup. This does restore consistency, but at the cost of what I
>consider the whole point of survival: anticipation of future
>experiences. If I can convince myself that anticipation of future
>experiences doesn't matter, then I would have convinced myself that
>death doesn't matter.

Indeed. The bleakly hilarious aspect of what we might call (for 
shorthand) "Lee's position" is how triumphantly socialist in premise 
and impulse it is. Yes, I should be ready and eager to have my 
existence snuffed out if it will benefit (1) a copy of me somewhere 
else, perhaps light years away and far in the future, or just across 
the room, it makes no difference, and/or (2) the world at large, 
which will continue to be graced by the presence of my analogue or 
emulation who will be, by definition and operational test, exactly my 
equivalent. That fact that he *isn't* me, that I'm to be exterminated 
for the gratification of him or others, is sufficient motive for me 
to head to the showers or the ablation chamber.

Is that Ayn Rand I hear, drumming her heels on the floor and foaming 
at the mouth? Altruists! Collectivists! Carbon copyists!

Damien Broderick