#Existential Risks

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of the Future

The philosophy of the future involves a rigorous examination of what lies ahead for humanity and the universe. This field encompasses questions about time, technological advancement, ethical considerations, and the potential directions of human development. By contemplating the future, philosophers aim to understand the implications of present actions, the nature of foresight, and the ethical responsibilities tied to shaping what comes next. It blends elements of metaphysics, ethics, epistemology, and science fiction, offering a comprehensive framework for thinking about what the future holds.

Key Themes in the Philosophy of the Future

Nature of Time and Temporal Experience:

Philosophers explore the metaphysical nature of time, questioning whether the future is predetermined, open, or exists in a multi-dimensional framework.

They examine human experience of time and how our understanding of the future shapes current behavior and decision-making.

Predictive Knowledge and Foresight:

The philosophy of the future delves into the limits and possibilities of predicting future events. This includes the reliability of scientific models, probability theory, and the role of uncertainty.

Philosophers consider how much we can know about the future and the implications of acting on such knowledge.

Technological Advancements and Transhumanism:

The impact of future technologies on society and the human condition is a major area of interest. This includes discussions on artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and the ethics of human enhancement.

Transhumanism, or the idea of transcending human limitations through technology, raises questions about identity, ethics, and the definition of humanity.

Ethical Responsibilities and Future Generations:

Philosophers examine the ethical duties we hold toward future generations. This involves debates on sustainability, environmental ethics, and the distribution of resources.

The concept of intergenerational justice focuses on how present actions affect the welfare and rights of those who come after us.

Utopian and Dystopian Visions:

The exploration of utopian and dystopian scenarios serves as a philosophical tool to understand potential futures and the values that drive them.

Philosophers analyze the societal, political, and ethical underpinnings of ideal and nightmarish futures, often using literature and speculative fiction as frameworks.

Existential Risks and Global Catastrophes:

The study of existential risks, or events that could threaten the survival of humanity, is a critical aspect of future-oriented philosophy.

This includes natural disasters, technological threats, and the ethical implications of preventing or mitigating such risks.

Future of Consciousness and Artificial Intelligence:

Philosophers consider the potential for artificial intelligence to surpass human intelligence and what this means for the future of consciousness.

They explore the ethical treatment of AI, the potential for machine consciousness, and the implications for human society.

Philosophical Implications of Space Exploration:

The potential for space colonization and the search for extraterrestrial life raises questions about human expansion, ethics, and the nature of life in the universe.

Philosophers explore the motivations and consequences of venturing beyond Earth.

The philosophy of the future is a dynamic and multifaceted field that challenges us to think critically about what lies ahead. By examining the nature of time, the limits of predictive knowledge, and the ethical implications of our actions, this philosophy provides a framework for navigating the uncertainties and possibilities of the future. It encourages a forward-thinking perspective that balances hope, caution, and ethical responsibility, shaping our approach to the unknown.

[aitalksblog]

Shedding Light On The Dark Side of AI

(Images generated by author with BlueWillow) AI is undeniably changing the way we live and work, offering solutions to many real-world problems. However, its potential benefits come with a dark side. From biases to existential risk, AI poses several challenges that need to be tackled. In this post, we will discuss some of these issues and explore strategies to mitigate them. Table of…

[shallowseeker]

The clever editing will never not get applause from me 12x14:

I know it's been said. But we'll say it again!!!!

Truly hilarious how Mary is like I AM FULL OF SO MUCH GUILT I HAD TO FACE WALLY'S SPOUSE AFTER MY HORRIBLE RECKLESS SELFISH SEEECRET PLAN WENT SIDEWAYS:

Meanwhile Dean is over there like

..........................................

>8[ DID YOU EVEN HEAR ME WHEN I SAID—

///

AND THEN

they follow *waves* all that

with *this* FUCKING SHOT

overlaid with Mary saying: "I watch him die every night."

Dean with the thousand-yard stare

*whispers* B-b-becaaaaaause.......................

The truth is that ever since then, Dean watches <CAS> die every night and he's having all the nightmares, so Mary DESERVES to have all the nightmares too

j-j-ussssst LOOK at him he—

haunted

[chartzan]

editwithbettershadingorsomething Another lil sketchy thing for @ssreeder's wonderful "Leaving it all behind". I had to try to draw something from that scene in RIA. it was so absolutely precious ♥

“There are no teams!” - “There are now… Tent rules and this is Zuko’s tent, so his rules. Right?”

also-

[gods-perfect-idiots]

I've been trying my best to do @poolverine-week but haven't made anything I'm really happy with yet so here's day 6 (sharing clothes prompt... kinda?).

anyway had fun getting in some details here (note the silly bracelets they made for each other... and no, Wade did not tell the truth about what Logan's means lol)

[vaguely-concerned]

walking through lucanis' mind prison. the tam lin of it all

[binah-beloved]

Intertwining Threads

Binah x Reader Lobotomy Corporation Pronouns: Gender Neutral Warnings: Descriptions of blood and torture

~ * ~

The life of an Arbiter revolves around torture, as is fit of the prime assassins of the Head. Whatever is ordered shall be done, they all had vowed at the start of their service; threats, collection, removals, extermination. It’s all part of the cycle. There’s nothing to be done or changed, so why not relish in the destruction? Garion was no different, her hands stained with blood and the countless lives she had torn apart. Even when she was gutted and splintered, laid out in a chair to have her brain picked and prodded; when she was forced to cling to her dying breath, listening to every crack of bone with iron red dripping from her mouth; when her name was taken away and replaced by something dull and false so he could control her better, she remained the same, as an Arbiter mimics the City. Binah. What a fitting name. Meaning to contemplate, to understand. She could do nothing but think, after all, being locked away beside a well of madness, alone. Yes, she had much time to contemplate, her task of drawing water slowly driving her insane, as there was no one who could do this but her, no one else who could withstand it. This was her punishment, for everything. Hah, punishment. An Arbiter being tormented instead of doing the tormenting. How laughable. The people around her come and go, living and dying and returning with each new cycle. She’s the head of some department or another, except she can’t leave, not ever. The doors were barred and shut for her, for all of them, long ago.

The agents and clerks beneath her always await her instructions. She used to purposefully lie, watching with sharp eyes as they fell screaming to the monsters or the sounds or the images flashing across their eyes. But he disliked that, sending her back to the room with the well and making her draw more and more water as a form of discipline, and soon she found no joy in watching people crumble, only boredom. They all call her Binah. But she’s not Binah, she’s Garion, and will be Garion forevermore. It’s difficult to tell the time down here amongst the machines and shadows. The only signs are any new employees, fools who join the ranks of the facility because they are very stupid or very desperate, or perhaps a bit of both. She’s long since given up the need to remember any of them; all her energy is spent maintaining the last threads still attached to her sanity, the ones that never seem to snap even when she wants them to. Perhaps that’s another layer of this punishment, to be forced to bear it with lucid eyes. The Arbiter feels nothing when an Abnormality breaches containment, sitting and listening to the shouts and cries for a few moments before getting to her feet. A fight would be a welcome break from the well, anyway- even at her weakest she’s still a formidable opponent for even the worst creatures from the depths. But perhaps staring into the waters has made her sloppy, her skill degrading along with her mind, because the Abnormality is only caged after a long gash is opened on her arm, the blood dripping thickly onto the floor. She exhales. There is no pain. She is an Arbiter, after all, unafraid and strong.

Yet it still stings and burns. “Binah!” A voice rings out and her eyes open with a slight jolt. The sound is vaguely familiar, something heard in passing and no more, but somehow it feels different- concerned, frantic, warm. Her head tilts in its direction, gaze landing upon one of the more recent hires assigned to her department, looking worried and a little fearful at the sight of her blood. You fuss over her wounded arm and she can do nothing but let you, staring blankly as she’s pushed in the direction of the medical bay, the other agents scattering and the memory of your voice filling her head. Binah. It was so gentle, the way you said it- But she’s not Binah. She’s Garion. But who is Garion now, after being chained to an endless web of madness and despair? Nothing but an empty husk. The Head of Extraction has begun to linger near you once working hours are over. You’re often the only ones left in the main room at that hour, your pen constantly scratching against whatever file you’re currently working on, and she remains a short distance away, watching carefully. Occasionally you can smell the tea she drinks, your lips twitching into a smile at the lighthearted thought of your Sephirah truly enjoying something before there’s the sound of footsteps and a light clink as she sets her teacup on the table beside you and asks that you do not mind her sitting so close.

You blink, looking up from your papers and into those dull black eyes, and you smile. Her heart thumps once, merely humming and taking a sip of her tea to disguise her surprise. It’s easier around you, being locked in the depths. The few strands of her sanity become stronger, untangling themselves and weaving into an organized display in your presence- how? You must have some secret ability, some tool used to manipulate the senses, for not even bloodshed and slaughter could make her feel so warm. And your voice, when you speak that name she’s been given- ah, she almost feels like she could smile. Almost. Not quite, but almost. The sight of the Extraction Sephirah and a certain employee becomes commonplace; some even call you her favorite, but when you ask she merely tilts her head, a faint glint in her usually cold eyes, and presses a finger to her lips. It was only natural for him to notice, for the change in her behavior to catch his gaze and hold his attention in an iron grip tight enough to make him panic. You’re the cause of this- some random, low-level employee who gave a fragmented Arbiter a spark- and with rage in his voice he threatens her and you in one sentence, scrambling for some semblance of control. Her eyes narrow almost imperceptibly, the air seemingly dropping a few degrees from her flat, icy stare. She is strong, can handle any torture or agony or suffering- but you are fragile, a bird she wants to cup in her palms and whisper her sorrows to and keep safe, safe for as long as you live and as long as you breathe. Her own blood she is willing to see spilled, but not yours. Never yours.

She is Garion- … No. She is Binah. That’s right, you called her Binah. She is Binah, a broken, useless shell of an Arbiter- and yet you say her name as if she’s a star in the night sky, bright and beautiful, giving her hope and warmth. So she is Binah, and it’s her own name, not for anyone to control. And Binah, the ex-Arbiter, speaks to him in a smooth, cold voice. “You will not hurt them, for I shall go mad if you do. The insanity that creeps into my skull and eats away at my senses is only restrained by an Arbiter’s will. It can and will crumble at any moment, within the blink of an eye, and the world will turn to blood and dust. So you will not hurt them. You cannot, unless your wish is to lose everything.” Binah. To contemplate, to understand. Yes, now, finally, she understands.

[fgmetanoia]

Draco, year 1-3: I hate Harry Potter. They all think he's so cool, with his scar and his broomstick.

Draco, year 4: stupid Potter, rules never apply to the Chosen One, don't they?

Draco, year 4: haha Potter stinks

Draco, year 4: *omg he's gonna die*

Draco, Yule Ball: *did Potter suddenly become hot?! HOW*

Draco, year 4: haha yes, yes Potter's girlfriends. I know everything to know about Potter's girlfriends.

Draco, year 4: *omg he's gonna DROWN*

[dollbotthing]

we need to collectively pretend that “generative ai” doesn’t exist or we will all die

[wackywatchdotcom]

woke up like 40 mins ago at like 4:30 unable to fall back alseep so im once again thinking about ragatha and pomni as The Ocd Havers. its everything to me. oh whoops i ran out of tags on this post

[where-is-the-angst]

all nighter recap bc for some reason i’m not even tired (i have a caffeine addiction)

[hey-color-palettes]

I like your work! May I request a pallet that gives off the feeling of “existential risk”?

★ #0a090a ★ #66150c ★ #d99e16 ★ #cbcdce ★ #ececec ★

[liltalle]

I first read Eliezer and Nate's work a decade ago. Having context for the deeper dangers of AI—not that we'll break art or society, those are bad enough—but that we could actually destroy the world and our entire future, has made the advances of the last few years rather disconcerting.

I have a lot of hope actually, having studied all this for a while. We don't have to go down this destructive road. We can stop new development and take the time to know what we're doing with the most consequential technology humans have ever developed, and decide what to do with it together, instead of a few idiots at the top killing us all.

Our problems are many, and this is a particularly terrifying one, but what we can do for this one is simple: we can help change the conversation. The most important thing about AI is what it means for the survival and long-term future of humanity. Everything else is consequential and terrifying, but it's peanuts in comparison. Few of us have direct levers on technical development, but if the discourse shifts so that companies and researchers are consistently asked first not "how will this make money?" but "how will you keep this from destroying the world?", we will have made the first important step.

MIRI announcing this book is their attempt to catalyze that change. They're asking for pre-orders to climb the book up the bestseller lists to get people talking about it. I've read their stuff before, I know it'll be good, so I've pre-ordered a copy.

If you want a more accessible introduction, Eliezer's article in Time is short and free:

I really do think we can all be okay, but we have to make that happen together.

[sparkly-butthole-on-ao3]

"Unexpected" my ass. We've been screaming for over a decade now about how we're approaching an existential risk to humankind. When are people, including scientists, going to acknowledge how little we actually know? Why are we leaving this to chance instead of demanding better?

[sentivium]

AI CEOs Admit 25% Extinction Risk… WITHOUT Our Consent!

AI leaders are acknowledging the potential for human extinction due to advanced AI, but are they making these decisions without public input? We discuss the ethical implications and the need for greater transparency and control over AI development.

[whatever-letmebe]

Give me about a dozen more amazing KP fanfics and maybe two more years to increase my distress tolerance of all the unpleasant emotions the show stirs up and I think I can learn to kinda like KinnPorsche