Monthly Archives: February 2010

James Hughes’ critique of a benevolent superintelligent singleton

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Over on IEET, James Hughes wrote an odd article critiquing the FAI proposal. It is best summarized by Kaj Sotala:

"Interesting essay. Still, I found it a bit puzzling. I was expecting to find some sort of rebuttal of what you term "technocratic absolutist" arguments, but could see none. In the end you just state that "In response, we defenders of liberal democracy need to marshal our arguments for the virtuous circle of reinforcement between human technological enablement and self-governance", but don't actually provide any such arguments.

As far as I can see, you pretty much wrote an essay supporting exactly the view you're opposing. After all, you repeated many of the "technocratic" arguments, but provided no support at all for the "liberal democratic" side. Am I missing something here?"

Hughes responds:

"The idea of benevolent totalitarianism is in principle offensive to me, because I subscribe to those other values about the importance of individuals creating themselves and governing themselves through discussion."

- which seems to be an absurd statement. Democracy is a tool to get outcomes that we want - but perhaps we have had to fight so hard against promises of totalitarian utopia in the past that many people have developed an unbreakable irrational hatred of anything other than democracy?
This may be one of those cases of rational irrationality: for agents with bounded intelligence who might be preyed upon by would-be dictators with oh-so-convincing arguments in favor of their totalitarian utopia, the only winning cognitive algorithm might be to just not accept any arguments, no matter how convincing they are. Hughes would rather tolerate a highly suboptimal outcome - life without an FAI - than give in to his innate sense of the wrongness of totalitarianism. And, given the information he has, this is probably the right thing to do. Alas.
A way around this impasse might be to require critics to demonstrate a degree of knowledge of the FAI proposal sufficient to turn off this drive to unconditionally reject certain tempting ideas. Perhaps critics would have to pass some certificate of excellence exam in Friendly AI theory before being allowed to critique it - after all, that's what other professional specialisms require. Critics would not be allowed to critique the LHC or Laser Fusion projects as a waste of money unless they had a degree in theoretical physics that demonstrated that they actually understood what was going on.

The Merchant 7

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NASA's 7 new space pioneers are companies, AP via Forbes

"A half century ago the Mercury Seven embodied America's space future. Now it's the merchant seven - space companies for hire. Mimicking a scene 51 years ago when the Mercury astronauts were revealed, NASA's boss beamed Tuesday as he introduced the "faces of a new frontier:" representatives of the seven companies that NASA is funding to develop future private spacecraft."

Commercial Spaceflight Federation Welcomes New NASA Human Spaceflight Plan, Congratulates Commercial Crew Development Winner

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LPIN Calls on TSA to End Use of Full Body Image Scanners at Indianapolis International Airport

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Dear Fellow Hoosiers,

In light of recent events, the Indianapolis International Airport, by order of Transportation Security Administration, has implemented the use of full body scanners. Many are unaware of the nature of this machine. We need all Hoosiers that care about their privacy to contact their Congressmen, Senators, the Indianapolis Airport Authority, and the TSA.

We have written two form letters that you can use to attach your name and send off.  You can download them here and here.

read more

We Still Need To Go Back To The Moon

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Defending the moon, Homer Hickam

"Here is a list of six reasons why the United States should make it a national goal to establish a laboratory on the moon, similar to our Antarctic South Pole Station:

1. National prestige. Many decisions are made in other countries based on how they perceive us . Are we young and dynamic and growing or are we old, lethargic, and dying? If we are considered the latter, we will be attacked in both overt and subtle ways.

2. Growing our economy based on technological and scientific leadership. If we accomplish great engineering and scientific tasks, such as going to the moon and staying there, we will attract the best and brightest minds in the world to not only help us on the moon but to keep us advancing in all technologies. This equals a dynamic, nimble, robust, long-term economy. ...."

Obama Administration Energy News

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The cooling towers of Three Mile Island's Unit 1 Nuclear Power Plant pour steam into the sky in Middletown, Pa., March 17, 2009.

Obama’s Nuclear Loan Guarantee Plan Draws  Opposition. USA Today, February 1, 2010. “A campaign is already underway to oppose the tripling of loan guarantees for new nuclear power plants, included in President Obama’s 2011 budget (and Energy Fact Sheet) unveiled on Monday. A bevy of environmental, taxpayer and scientific groups . . . .  are criticizing Obama’s proposal to increase loan guarantees for new nuclear plants from $18.5 billion to $54.5 billion. The guarantees could bolster GOP support for his bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which passed the House of Representatives but is pending in the Senate. In a letter to Obama, four groups – the National Taxpayers Union, Taxpayers for Common Sense, the George Marshall Institute and the Non-Proliferation Education Center — oppose an expansion of loan guarantees for new nuclear plants. . . “

Instead of focusing on opposing nuclear plants, these groups should brainstorm ways to shut down all U.S. coal plants, which kill more people and harm the environment more than any nuclear plants in the U.S. ever have.  The French have an excellent record of safety, so the U.S. could too, if it put more money and effort into it.  A disturbing story about tritium leaks from CBS news came out yesterday, and these problems have to be addressed as soon as possible.  Radioactive tritium, a carcinogen, now taints at least 27 of the nation’s 104 nuclear reactors

But new nuclear designs and replaced parts in old plants will help solve this problem, if they can be funded and built very soon.  The “pebble bed” design, the 4th generation nuclear plant designs offer a lot of promise for safety and keeps the radioactive material  in the reactor vessel. Nuclear energy is nearly CO2-free and has an obvious place in our energy future.  I wish “environmentalists” who are worried about climate change (as I am) would understand that conservation is not adequate to solve our massive emissions problems quickly enough.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu Announces Commission on Nuclear Waste. — U.S. DOE, January 29, 2010. “As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to restarting America’s nuclear industry, U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu on January 29 announced the formation of a Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future to provide recommendations for developing a safe, long-term solution to managing the Nation’s used nuclear fuel and nuclear waste. The Commission is being co-chaired by former Congressman Lee Hamilton and former National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft. In light of the Administration’s decision not to proceed with the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository, President Obama has directed Secretary Chu to establish the Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of policies for managing the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle. The Commission will provide advice and make recommendations on issues including alternatives for the storage, processing, and disposal of civilian and defense spent nuclear fuel and [...]

How much money is spent on cancer research

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Cancer research is typically invested in by a number of different individuals, groups or organizations worldwide in the hopes of developing both treatment and cure for the disease. The state of California, for instance, has reportedly invested $10-12 million in direct cancer research annually, while the National Cancer Institute (NCI) within the United States has reportedly spend $4.8 to $5.2 billion per annum on cancer research and treatment development.

Using the NCI as an example for cancer research and how money is allocated, according to their fact sheet breast cancer is the primary investment target for most funds and received $572.6 million in 2008 alone. The runner up following this was prostate cancer, receiving $285.4 million, with colorectal cancer coming in third at $273.7 million. The cancer receiving the least allocated funds is actually uterine cancer, being granted only $17.1 million in 2008. While current figures may vary slightly this general allocation of funds has remained the same for some years and is expected to continue as such in the future.

While a large number of funds are gathered through support groups and fund raising drives throughout the world the primary source of most research comes from major organizations and governments that allocate funds specifically to the cancer research and cure drive. This has led many government based organization such as the NCI being established around the world in order to support private research developments and coordinate ongoing efforts between research professionals on a regular basis.

Since most major organizations spearheading research are government based the fund allocation is determined by regular budget proposals submitted for review on a monthly and yearly basis in order to be considered and have funds attributed accordingly. This is generally done withing the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and is adjusted accordingly depending upon both individual and group research needs. The OMB, while working to support all cancer research, also strives to ensure that money is allocated where funds are needed most in order to ensure proper support and prevent unnecessary expenditures that may actually harm the overall cancer research process.

The amount of funds spent yearly on cancer research is something of a point of contention in the political world, for while billions are allocated yearly to the research and fighting of cancer far more money is spent elsewhere that many people feel is unnecessary in comparison. The arguments over foreign policy and the billions spent abroad aside California’s contribution of $10-$12 million, for instance, is seen as a drop in the pot when compared to the fact that many sports players within the state refuse to even play a game for a team unless paid at least twice that amount.

Regardless the funds being generated each year are carefully calculated and increasing funds are being generated yearly as cancer awareness increases and both private and public organizations work closely together to help fight against the ever growing cancer trend. Though projections for 2010 are still difficult to determine it is likely that the amount of funds for cancer research will continue to grow to help the over 1.2 million people that are diagnosed with cancer each year and help save the nearly 600,000 people that die annually in the US alone from cancer afflictions.

A Diamond in the Rough

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diamondcbhd-1Islands are like gems, all are beautiful, but all are not alike. One of the most beautiful islands to emerge on the market is Diamond Cay.  A pristine 1.43 acres, the island is sure to get a lot of attention from prospective island buyers.  The island is surrounded by reef. This stunning tropical setting is as good as it gets. The island sits 20 minutes from East Harbour and water and power are available nearby making the island ideal for personal or resort development. For more information on this property visit Private Islands Online.

Glasses Frame the Needment of Women

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These days most women will make use of glasses to make up themselves. Many female compatriots would like to buy lots of glasses just like buying shoes and handbags. Lots of famous stars just wear eyeglasses when they are still plain without any makeup. It is considered as the best tool to make up. The precondition is that you have to choose glasses that fit your face shape. Next let me introduce

Tour operator Concord Travel Georgia Caucasus

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I am Georgian from Tbilisi. Tbilisi. This word means a lot Hospitality first of all Sunny Warm Nice Old Beautiful Tolerant Warm people Devoted Friends Good restaurants delicious food good wine free soul hot temperament distinguished theatres opera house beautiful houses many muse...Tour operator Concord Travel Georgia Caucasus offers you different kind of tours including cultural

Custommade dresses for different roles in wedding

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With the development fashiontide of wedding dress brides are not limited to purchase dress in shopping mall. For they knows the wedding dress in stores are always out of fashion or measurements are not regular. They feel not so suitable for themselves when wears on. Well donrsquot be worries about it. Beautiful ladies could choose custommade wedding dress in online sales.As we know the wedd

Swimming with Sharks

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Well we have finally arrived for our holiday.... yep we have realised that travelling the world is tough work so when our friends Richard and Di suggested a holiday in Western Australia bonza idea we thought to use the colloquialism. We took the quick hop from Adelaide to its neighbour Perth well when I say quick the journey takes about the same time as the UK to Eqypt that gives you some i

and in other news…

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This small white cat that belongs to Jean and Corne has taken a liking to me. she follows me everywhere and is constantly clawing at my legs... she is actually quite adorable but I cannot figure out why she likes me so much... there are some Canadians staying here right now and it is kinda nice to hear a similar accent. they were surprised as well to find a southern neighbor working here... Sunda

mein erstes englisches bier

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ich mag ja unser bier in sterreich net unbedingt gern da hatte ich schon die hoffnung dass das englische besser ist. also sag ich in der bar zur kellnerin ich htte gern ein original englisches bier. da hat sie mir dann zwei vorgeschlagen oxford und noch eins. da ich mich net entscheiden konnte und auch sie mir keine wirkliche hilfe war hat sie mich netterweise von beiden kosten lassen

What am I doing here

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Dear consumers we are here. Why Are you a nihilist Do you believe that the reason you are here is just some kind of accident of physics That to dust you shall return and that all you'll ultimately be good for is worm food Personally this evolutionary neodarwinistic reductionist materialistic universe viewpoint was mine for a very long time. Then in pursuit of my intellectual rationalisatio

Internationale Afghanistan Konferenz und ich seh aus wie eine Mazedonierin

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vorige woche war in london die internationale afghanistan konferenz. und im green park wo ich morgens immer durchgeh war das medienzentrum. da war ein zelt aufgebaut und berall rundherum absperrungen und an diesen absperrungen sind alle 3 meter polizisten gestanden. und zur krnung ist den ganzen tag ein hubschrauber darber gekreist...und das war nur das medienzentrum...whrender der konferenz

Mae Sot is ……

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Mae Sot is an interesting boarder town. More Burmese than Thai and more international then some of the larger towns around. Honestly there is not alot to see in town the Wats and market are fun to visit but will take you about a day. The reason I and most other people end up here is for volunteer and NGO work. Mae Sot is home to many NGO's working with Burmese rights groups and range from p

PPS

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Sorry about the misspelling on the previous entry. We only get 15 mins per session here. We didn't tell you about the Monitor Lizard that we met in Kuah. Nor about the Jeweller's shop at the airport. Mary will have to tell you about that At any rate we're here in plenty of time to catch our next flight.