Is Privacy Holding Back Humanity?

[JJMcClure]

I like the idea of eliminating scarcity but I highly doubt there's even a slight possibility of achieving it. .

I've been resisting the temptation to link out during this discussion and I don't really expect you to read all this stuff, the point is that there is this stuff for me to link out to. Resource scarcity can be solved.


Japan’s space agency is planning to construct a solar power station in space and use it to beam energy down to Earth using lasers.

Laser-powered robot aiming for space - the first steps toward cheaper and safer ways to break free from the Earth's gravity well, it could open space up to us.

Asteroid mining (One NASA report estimates that the mineral wealth of the asteroids in the asteroid belt might exceed $100 billion for each of the six billion people on Earth.)

There are still two variables that can be changed - environment and behavior - attempt to change behavior with disregard to environment and you get in the same trouble. .

Which is why I've been arguing that trying to change the way we trade is pointless, we need to compeletly remove the need to trade otherwise it will simply continue to bring out the worst in us.

All we can do now, in my opinion, is realize that we're happy only when we acknowledge the reality and don't try to force the issue by requiring others to accept our vision of what reality should be, regardless of what actually is.

Fine unless your vision of reality threatens my version of reality, then you get to hear my opinion.

[Saul]

I've been resisting the temptation to link out during this discussion and I don't really expect you to read all this stuff, the point is that there is this stuff for me to link out to. Resource scarcity can be solved.

I'm familiar with some of that, however that only aims to solve the scarcity of resources, raw material, but not things. Things need to be produced. The production of some items, such as luxury items, can't be fully automated. Any item that requires human labour will always be scarce because human labour is scarce. How would you solve that problem?

Fine unless your vision of reality threatens my version of reality, then you get to hear my opinion.

Hehe. That's kinda my point. There's one reality - one where it hurts when you get kicked in the leg. If you acknowledge that reality, there's no risk of threatening anyone's vision unless someone has a vision that has some other non-existent reality in mind. But that's the problem of that someone - reality itself is the judge.

[JJMcClure]

The production of some items, such as luxury items, can't be fully automated. Any item that requires human labour will always be scarce because human labour is scarce. How would you solve that problem?

AI, this whole fantasy hinges on it. Resource scarcity can be solved but the system of trade remain in place, in fact that's what most likely to happen. If we can get AI to a level where it can do the work for us then my future vision becomes possible.

I was thinking this morning about how my perspective (not entirely mine but I agree with it) that primitive hunter gatherers were healthier and fitter than modern man was met with some skepticism. I have living examples though, you only have to look at modern African tribes like the Massai to see that it's a valid theory. They're very similar to our primitive ancestors except they use agriculture as well as hunting to sustain themselves but the point is that you take an average Massai and they'll be fitter, stronger and a damn site healthier than your average westerner. They enjoy significant leisure time, have a solid clan structure and are generally happier and less stressed than we our with our ultra modern gadget assisted supposedly easier lifestyle.

The image of hunter gatherer sickly runts, in poor health, scavenging for food between one bout of illness and starvation and the next, dying of the least illness, couldn't be further from the truth. I maintain that in many respects they had a better quality of life than we do. They had many skills we've forgotten, like knowing their environment and I bet their ability to remember things would put ours to shame.

[Saul]

AI, this whole fantasy hinges on it.

I was thinking more about products of fine art that AI can't create by definition. Those things are sure to make this fantasy to fall apart.

the point is that you take an average Massai and they'll be fitter, stronger and a damn site healthier than your average westerner. They enjoy significant leisure time, have a solid clan structure and are generally happier and less stressed than we our with our ultra modern gadget assisted supposedly easier lifestyle.

So am I.

[JJMcClure]

I was thinking more about products of fine art that AI can't create by definition. Those things are sure to make this fantasy to fall apart.

Art will be one of the many leisure pursuits humanity will be fre to indulge in to their heart's content.

So am I.

I'm happy for you, it doesn't change the fact that trade and agriculture had a significant effect on our evolution and it wasn't necessarily a good one.

[Saul]

Art will be one of the many leisure pursuits humanity will be fre to indulge in to their heart's content.

So it will. But then I see a remarkable painting made by someone in their leisure and decide I must have it. The artist decides to exchange it for my handmade wooden leprechauns, that's trade. Another person sees the same painting and also likes it, that's growing demand and scarcity. More of these things made in leisure appear and bartering becomes too inconvenient - something naturally takes place of money. And we have a full scale trade economy all over again.

I'm happy for you, it doesn't change the fact that trade and agriculture had a significant effect on our evolution and it wasn't necessarily a good one.

Nor was it necessarily a bad one.

[JJMcClure]

So it will. But then I see a remarkable painting made by someone in their leisure and decide I must have it. The artist decides to exchange it for my handmade wooden leprechauns, that's trade. Another person sees the same painting and also likes it, that's growing demand and scarcity. More of these things made in leisure appear and bartering becomes too inconvenient - something naturally takes place of money. And we have a full scale trade economy all over again.

An art swap leads to a full scale economy? I think that's a bit unlikely in a society where anyone can have anything they want for the asking.

Nor was it necessarily a bad one.

Great, unlike most people you don't accept without question the idea that the way we've evolved is the best way.

[Saul]

An art swap leads to a full scale economy? I think that's a bit unlikely in a society where anyone can have anything they want for the asking.

Not everything, just those things that aren't scarce. And if there are conditions for an economy to evolve, it is very likely that it will. Then the question is if it can exist in this fantasy or only break it.

[JJMcClure]

And if there are conditions for an economy to evolve, it is very likely that it will.

Yes I agree but in the society I envision the conditions don't exist. The whole concept of 'ownership' would be antiquated and redundant, therefore no economy...