I also fear that, at some point, I might need the money. Otherwise I would have already donated a lot more to the Singularity Institute years ago.
What made you change your mind since then?
I did not change my mind. All I am saying is that I wouldn’t suggest anyone to contribute money to SI who fully believes what they believe. Because that would be counterproductive. If I accepted all of their ideas then I would make the same suggestion as you, to build “an organization that is not attached to any particular plan”.
But I do not share all of their beliefs. Particularly I do not currently believe that there is a strong case that uncontrollable recursive self-improvement is possible. And if it is possible I do not think that it is feasible. And even if it is feasible I believe that it won’t happen any time soon. And if it will happen soon I do not think that SI will have anything to do with it.
I believe that SI is an important organisation that deserves money. Although if I would share their idea of rationality and their technological optimism then the risks would outweigh the benefit.
Why I believe SI deserves money:
It makes people think by confronting them with the logical consequences of state of the art ideas from the field of rationality.
It explores topics and fringe theories that are neglected or worthy of consideration.
It challenges the conventional foundations of charitable giving, causing organisations like GiveWell to reassess and possibly improve their position.
It creates a lot of exciting and fun content and dicussions.
All in all I believe that SI will have a valuable influence. I believe that the world needs people and organisations that explore crazy ideas, that try to treat rare diseases in cute kittens and challenge conventional wisdom. And SI is such an organisation. Just like Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff. Just like all the creationists who caused evolutionary biologist to hone their arguments. SI will influence lots of fields and make people contemplate their beliefs.
To fully understand why my criticism of SI and willingness to donate does not contradict, you also have to realize that I do not accept the usual idea of charitable giving that is being voiced here. I think that the reasons for why people like me contribute money to charities and causes are complex and can’t be reduced to something as simple as wanting to do the most good. It is not just about wanting to do good, signaling or warm fuzzies. It is is all of it and much more. I also believe that it is piratically impossible to figure out how to maximize good deeds. And even if you were to do it for selfish reasons, you’d have to figure out what you want in the first place. An idea which is probably “not even wrong”.
I did not change my mind. All I am saying is that I wouldn’t suggest anyone to contribute money to SI who fully believes what they believe. Because that would be counterproductive. If I accepted all of their ideas then I would make the same suggestion as you, to build “an organization that is not attached to any particular plan”.
But I do not share all of their beliefs. Particularly I do not currently believe that there is a strong case that uncontrollable recursive self-improvement is possible. And if it is possible I do not think that it is feasible. And even if it is feasible I believe that it won’t happen any time soon. And if it will happen soon I do not think that SI will have anything to do with it.
I believe that SI is an important organisation that deserves money. Although if I would share their idea of rationality and their technological optimism then the risks would outweigh the benefit.
Why I believe SI deserves money:
It makes people think by confronting them with the logical consequences of state of the art ideas from the field of rationality.
It explores topics and fringe theories that are neglected or worthy of consideration.
It challenges the conventional foundations of charitable giving, causing organisations like GiveWell to reassess and possibly improve their position.
It creates a lot of exciting and fun content and dicussions.
All in all I believe that SI will have a valuable influence. I believe that the world needs people and organisations that explore crazy ideas, that try to treat rare diseases in cute kittens and challenge conventional wisdom. And SI is such an organisation. Just like Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff. Just like all the creationists who caused evolutionary biologist to hone their arguments. SI will influence lots of fields and make people contemplate their beliefs.
To fully understand why my criticism of SI and willingness to donate does not contradict, you also have to realize that I do not accept the usual idea of charitable giving that is being voiced here. I think that the reasons for why people like me contribute money to charities and causes are complex and can’t be reduced to something as simple as wanting to do the most good. It is not just about wanting to do good, signaling or warm fuzzies. It is is all of it and much more. I also believe that it is piratically impossible to figure out how to maximize good deeds. And even if you were to do it for selfish reasons, you’d have to figure out what you want in the first place. An idea which is probably “not even wrong”.