[ExI] Free Trade

[spike at rainier66.com]

From: John Clark <johnkclark at gmail.com> 



 

>> Tax cuts must be matched with federal spending cuts. 

 

>…Why? It certainly wasn't necessary in the 1980s…

 

That’s where we disagree.  It certainly was necessary in the 1980s and is necessary always.  If we can get more government than we pay for, and that is sustainable, then we can get still more and pay less, until we get arbitrarily much government with no taxes.

 

But it isn’t sustainable, and we knew at the time there would be bad consequences, which we will see when the Social Security fund is exhausted in about 2033.  Of course if Singularity Santa comes along and gives us unimaginable wealth, then everything will be OK.  But if not, then not.

 

 

. 

 

> The spending went crazy that decade.  And every decade since then.

 

>…And yet the economic apocalypse that so many have been predicting for many many decades has yet to occur…

 

So they say.  But if the Singularity doesn’t occur, then that apocalypse starts with the reversion of Social Security to pay as you go.  That will be very unpleasant for pensioners dependent on that for their living.

 

>…With the AI singularity fast approaching, worry about the national debt has never been more irrelevant.   John K Clark

 

I am thinking of expanding my nanotech insurance business.  I sell insurance policies against nanotech: if nanotech comes along, I owe the policy holders a lot of money.  Expanding into Singularity insurance, it is a great deal: the yearly premium is one miiilllllion dollars (cue Dr. Evil) but if the Singularity occurs and we suddenly have unimaginable wealth, I pay one hundred billlllllion dollars.

 

John, Singularity Santa might occur.  But it might not.  I have a plausible alternative model for the future which does not involve a Singularity in the next decade.  I will share that later today, but now I gotta scoot, for duty calls.

 

spike

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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