[extropy-chat] Singularitarian verses singularity

[Samantha Atkins]

On Dec 22, 2005, at 12:46 PM, Brett Paatsch wrote:

> Eliezer S. Yudkowsky wrote:
>
>> The Extropy list is one of the Singularity Institute's primary  
>> sources of donors.  This list is where Brian Atkins and Sabine  
>> Atkins (then Sabine Stoeckel) and I got together and founded  
>> SIAI.  If you aren't doing anything, that's your own choice.  If  
>> you dislike your choice, change it!
>> The Singularity Institute is currently running a $100,000  
>> Challenge Grant.  So's Alcor, if that's more to your taste.  From  
>> bystander to actor is a straightforward transformation, if you're  
>> dissatisfied with cheering from the sidelines.
>> I agree that political yammering is a failure mode, which is why  
>> the SL4 list bans political discussion.
>
> The ban something is an intensely political act. To ban political  
> yammering there has to be someone who decides what is and is
> not political yammering.
>
> How do you conclude that *you* are especially qualified to decide
> what is political yammering?
> It seems like a "friendly" AI with *your* values could only be a  
> benevolent dictator at best.  And benevolent not as those that are
> ruled by it decide but as it decides using the values built in by you.
>
> I can think of no better reason NOT to donate money to your cause.
>

This is really bizarre.  Any list owner has full rights to decide  
what is an is not acceptable content on their own list and to  
determine what means those standards by whatever methods they wish.   
To say that Eliezer exercising such rights on his list is reason  
enough not to support his efforts is outrageous.    To further imply  
that a FAI build by his organization would have his values shows an  
utter ignorance of any of his publications on the subject.

> Indeed given your views it might be more extropic (better for
> humanity as a whole) to campaign to close the Singularity Institute
> down before it does any harm or to lobby to have you removed
> from it.

What is wrong with you?    This is totally unexpected from you.


- samantha