Another incisive piece that adds yet more weight to your thesis. I've download the Oxford article and will send some comments. The book is much needed. Will think about the title and share some notes of my hypothesis that science fiction has played a significant role in establishing the insane levels of optimism about tech that underpin TESCREAL. And when I say insane levels of optimism I mean religious levels of faith that something as inherently vulnerable as digital systems can form the fabric of a new and more fulfilling form of life.
I'm a proud, unapologetic, hardline, in-your face TESCREAList (to use your term) of the Cosmist (to use mine) variety.
I downloaded your draft and will buy and read your book (to give it a one-star review of course :-D ).
Concerning the title "Digital Deities: Silicon Valley’s Quest to Replace Humanity with AI," it is just wrong because our quest is not to replace humanity with AI. Rather, we consider future conscious AI as part of future humanity.
While I entirely disagree with your conclusions, I think your analysis is often perceptive and useful (trust the enemy's analysis of your strengths and weaknesses).
Some time ago on X I invited tou to a public debate, gloves off, where you would try to persuade me that Cosmism is horrible and I would try to persuade you that Cosmism is beautiful. Of course neither of us would persuade the other, but the debate could be fun and also interesting. You said why not, but we didn't continue the discussion. Let me know if you want to debate!
I really only scratched the surface when I wrote on this but at least the snark is there. I should really do another one now that the situation has gone from mostly bad to Hell Mouth!
Not to fanboy or anything here Emile, but I'm actually really looking foward to the book!
I think splitting it up into parts sounds pretty good and your rough outline for what you're putting into it sounds perfect, with the part about how all the major AI companies (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.) came out of the TESCREAL mov't. I also think its important that you talk about how all of these companies, at their core, all basically do and want the same thing. Anthropic for example was founded to be "OpenAI but better and safer", and in July Dario Amodei said that they might have to sell their products to "bad countries" to make profit to get to AGI.
I also think it's important that you talk about your experiences in the TESCREAL mov't, as long as you feel comfortable. One of the things I like about you is that because you were apart of the mov't, you have a lot of insight and knowledge which I think readers of the book should acknowlege (Especially once you get to the more crazy stuff).
I'm also gonna try to read that TESCREAL article once I have some free time.
(Also on a personal note Emile, and I'm sorry for doing this in this comment, but I sent you an email last week. So...you should probably check that out or...I'll unsubcribe from your newsletter which I'm not even subscribed to. You have been warned...that was a joke btw :)
Another incisive piece that adds yet more weight to your thesis. I've download the Oxford article and will send some comments. The book is much needed. Will think about the title and share some notes of my hypothesis that science fiction has played a significant role in establishing the insane levels of optimism about tech that underpin TESCREAL. And when I say insane levels of optimism I mean religious levels of faith that something as inherently vulnerable as digital systems can form the fabric of a new and more fulfilling form of life.
I'm a proud, unapologetic, hardline, in-your face TESCREAList (to use your term) of the Cosmist (to use mine) variety.
I downloaded your draft and will buy and read your book (to give it a one-star review of course :-D ).
Concerning the title "Digital Deities: Silicon Valley’s Quest to Replace Humanity with AI," it is just wrong because our quest is not to replace humanity with AI. Rather, we consider future conscious AI as part of future humanity.
While I entirely disagree with your conclusions, I think your analysis is often perceptive and useful (trust the enemy's analysis of your strengths and weaknesses).
Some time ago on X I invited tou to a public debate, gloves off, where you would try to persuade me that Cosmism is horrible and I would try to persuade you that Cosmism is beautiful. Of course neither of us would persuade the other, but the debate could be fun and also interesting. You said why not, but we didn't continue the discussion. Let me know if you want to debate!
Are some of these TECSREAL cult members also members of the Acts 17 Collective?
Can’t wait to read your book👍🏼💁🏻
Re title of th book, how about: Deus Ex Applica (don't know what the correct Latin term for app would be)
I think ultimately the answer is that an ethical AGI cannot be built until the forces of governing and capital are controlled by the working class.
Did Silicon Valley brainwash itself or is this just another death cult?
So they’re saying there *is* a God, as long as the power stays on…
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Oh wow!
I really only scratched the surface when I wrote on this but at least the snark is there. I should really do another one now that the situation has gone from mostly bad to Hell Mouth!
https://open.substack.com/pub/noelkeith/p/tranquil-piece-of-mind-vol-2-no-3?r=4c7psw&utm_medium=ios
Not to fanboy or anything here Emile, but I'm actually really looking foward to the book!
I think splitting it up into parts sounds pretty good and your rough outline for what you're putting into it sounds perfect, with the part about how all the major AI companies (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.) came out of the TESCREAL mov't. I also think its important that you talk about how all of these companies, at their core, all basically do and want the same thing. Anthropic for example was founded to be "OpenAI but better and safer", and in July Dario Amodei said that they might have to sell their products to "bad countries" to make profit to get to AGI.
I also think it's important that you talk about your experiences in the TESCREAL mov't, as long as you feel comfortable. One of the things I like about you is that because you were apart of the mov't, you have a lot of insight and knowledge which I think readers of the book should acknowlege (Especially once you get to the more crazy stuff).
I'm also gonna try to read that TESCREAL article once I have some free time.
(Also on a personal note Emile, and I'm sorry for doing this in this comment, but I sent you an email last week. So...you should probably check that out or...I'll unsubcribe from your newsletter which I'm not even subscribed to. You have been warned...that was a joke btw :)