From: Marc Geddes (marc_geddes@yahoo.co.nz)
Date: Fri Oct 22 2004 - 02:05:37 MDT
Probably the reason people not many people are
donating, is because most people simply can't
understand the concepts beind
FAI/Singularity/Transhumanist thinking. If I tried
explaining the ideas to my mother, for instance, she'd
just look at me as if I were nuts. Let me give you an
example of how 'the man on the street' reacts to SL4
ideas. Take a look at the responses to me in this
thread on an Objectivist web-site where I used to
post:
http://www.solohq.com/Forum/Dissent/0008.shtml
Here is the typical reaction:
"Why indeed Cam?! Very well stated. This Transhumanist
crap, of which its unhinged promoters can be but 98%
certain, is best, at present, located on the Dissent
board - only I think we need another board to do it
justice: Lunacy!"
and
"Once & for all, Transhumanism is bollocks, & its
adherents nutters."
So basically: most of the world's population are not
likely to support Sing Inst, because most of the
world's population don't understand SL4 concepts.
Among those who *do* understand SL4 concepts, the
reluctance to donate probably arises from doubts about
the specific approach Sing Inst is pursuing. As
Slawomir Paliwoda asks, how do we know that you
(Eliezer) really know what you are doing, or can be
trusted with the fate of the world? ;) All the people
on SL4 are highly individualistic and all have their
own ideas and theories. For instance check out my
'Philosophical Schemata' - I'm not doubting your
brillance etc - I just have the sneaking suspicion
that REAL solutions will turn out to be a lot more
complicated than just 'Extrapolated Volition' ;)
=====
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-H.G.Wells
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