EconTalk Seeking Immortality (with Paul Bloom)
22 snips
Apr 22, 2024 
In this engaging discussion, psychologist Paul Bloom, known for his research on morality and the mind, dives into the fascinating and often unsettling world of digital immortality. He grapples with the ethical implications of AI simulations of deceased loved ones, questioning the authenticity of these interactions. Bloom also explores how technology reshapes grief and human connections, illustrating the tension between idealized AI relationships and genuine bonds. The conversation challenges listeners to consider how such advancements might redefine identity and memory.
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Starman Movie
- Russ Roberts describes the movie Starman, where a widow encounters a clone of her dead husband.
- This illustrates the human longing for immortality and reunion with lost loved ones.
AI Simulations of Deceased
- AI simulations could mimic deceased loved ones, offering comfort but raising ethical questions.
- Paul Bloom's Substack essay, "Be Right Back," explores these implications, drawing inspiration from a Black Mirror episode.
Missing a Younger Version
- Russ Roberts shares his experience of missing his father but realizing he missed a younger version, not the one at the end of his life.
- This raises the question of which version of a person an AI simulation should replicate.
