"...deliberate intention is now optional - totalitarianism can now also emerge without it." Insightful observation. The use of this technology for making decisions puts us on autopilot, and allows the technology itself to become self-reinforcing, which means it will become more and more "optimized" by its very nature.
Glad it resonated with you. I first read Talbott's book about 1998 and as I read it I mentally paraphrased what he said as 'a totalarian regime without a despotic centre'. The expression has reverberated in me ever since.
Thanks for the feedback.
Will also cross-post your 'Tech Bros' piece shortly.
Brilliant Michael, thoroughly good read, highly informative on this critical issue. And as you indicate perhaps it’s a blessing in disguise to wake us up to the true nature of consciousness. I think so!
You've offered a fascinating history lesson for me, Michael -- Weizenbaum, Penrose, and Talbott were brilliant and prescient, and your excellent compilation of their insights had me nodding along the whole way. I've never considered the soporific effect of systemic technology, but by god it makes SO MUCH SENSE.
Thank you for taking on this topic with your own uniquely insightful slant! I feel myself expanding... :-)
Appreciate the feedback Mary! I just wanted a few more people to be aware that the experts in the field are not all aligned with the nonsense spread by non-experts like historian Yuval Noah Harari - who nonetheless get all the media attention and best-seller book sales!
"...deliberate intention is now optional - totalitarianism can now also emerge without it." Insightful observation. The use of this technology for making decisions puts us on autopilot, and allows the technology itself to become self-reinforcing, which means it will become more and more "optimized" by its very nature.
Glad it resonated with you. I first read Talbott's book about 1998 and as I read it I mentally paraphrased what he said as 'a totalarian regime without a despotic centre'. The expression has reverberated in me ever since.
Thanks for the feedback.
Will also cross-post your 'Tech Bros' piece shortly.
Brilliant Michael, thoroughly good read, highly informative on this critical issue. And as you indicate perhaps it’s a blessing in disguise to wake us up to the true nature of consciousness. I think so!
Many thanks for the feedback James - much appreciated!
Yes - sometimes things only get seen clearly when they are taken to extremes!
You've offered a fascinating history lesson for me, Michael -- Weizenbaum, Penrose, and Talbott were brilliant and prescient, and your excellent compilation of their insights had me nodding along the whole way. I've never considered the soporific effect of systemic technology, but by god it makes SO MUCH SENSE.
Thank you for taking on this topic with your own uniquely insightful slant! I feel myself expanding... :-)
Appreciate the feedback Mary! I just wanted a few more people to be aware that the experts in the field are not all aligned with the nonsense spread by non-experts like historian Yuval Noah Harari - who nonetheless get all the media attention and best-seller book sales!