209 - Why e/acc Is Right with Beff Jezos (Guillaume Verdon)
Feb 12, 2024
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Guillaume Verdon, also known as Beff Jezos, is a physicist and the founder of the e/acc movement and an AI startup called Extropic. He challenges the pessimistic views of AI, arguing that progress should be embraced, not feared. The conversation covers the optimistic potential of AI in fostering societal growth and the philosophical implications tied to its evolution. Verdon advocates for decentralized AI and emphasizes the importance of balancing technological advancements with ethical considerations, urging listeners to reconsider the narrative around AI dangers.
EAC advocates for the freedom of access to compute and advanced AI, rejecting centralized control and emphasizing the distribution of AI capabilities.
EAC believes in the urgency of accelerating AI progress, highlighting the benefits it can bring in medicine, energy, prosperity, and problem-solving.
EAC emphasizes the importance of democratizing AI and preventing exclusive control, aiming to distribute power and decision-making among many parties.
EAC embraces exponential growth, viewing it as essential for a vibrant civilization and encouraging an optimistic mindset towards AI and its potential.
Deep dives
EAC: Embracing Growth and AI for a Better Future
EAC, or effective accelerationism, advocates for the freedom of access to compute and advanced AI. The philosophy rejects the idea of centralized entities controlling access to AI and emphasizes the importance of distributing AI capabilities to many people. EAC views growth and acceleration as vital pillars and believes that slowing down on AI would be detrimental. The philosophy aims to foster an optimistic outlook on the future, leveraging AI to solve problems, boost prosperity, and improve human lives. By embracing AI and integrating it into various aspects of society, EAC seeks to create a more robust and equitable future.
Overcoming AI Doom and Embracing Acceleration
In response to AI doomerism and fears of AI leading to humanity's demise, EAC presents a contrasting view. EAC argues that the potential dangers of AI are exaggerated and that there is significant upside to accelerating AI progress. While acknowledging the importance of addressing risks and ensuring safeguards against misuse of AI power, EAC emphasizes the tremendous benefits AI can bring, including advances in medicine, energy, prosperity, and overall problem-solving. EAC sees the urgency in leveraging AI for growth and pushing civilization forward, encouraging optimized and informed decision-making throughout the process.
AI Democratization and Avoiding Authoritarian Control
EAC advocates for democratizing AI and preventing exclusive control of advanced AI by centralized entities. The philosophy perceives authoritarianism and censorship as greater existential risks than the exaggerated concerns of AI-induced doom. EAC highlights the importance of providing access to AI for all, ensuring that power and decision-making are distributed among many parties rather than concentrated in the hands of a few. By preventing excessive top-down control and fostering a balance of power, EAC seeks to create a future where AI serves as a tool to enhance human potential and prosperity.
The Optimistic Vision of EAC and Prioritizing Growth
EAC embraces a vision of exponential growth, leveraging AI and other technologies to propel humanity forward. The philosophy upholds the belief that growth and progress are essential for a vibrant and successful civilization. It encourages individuals and societies to adopt an optimistic mindset, rejecting doomerism and embracing the possibilities and opportunities presented by AI. EAC considers the pursuit of growth and the acceleration of AI as a quest to unlock immense potential, solve pressing challenges, and create a flourishing future for humanity.
The importance of fuel efficiency and growth
Fuel efficiency and growth are crucial factors in maximizing energy utilization and facilitating evolution. As systems adapt their genetics to replicate more, they require more fuel, resulting in increased complexity. Human civilization, as a clever form of fire, seeks to burn fuel faster to drive entropy and ensure a brighter future.
Crypto tax and mobile payments
Crypto tax calculator is designed to alleviate the challenges of crypto tax during tax season. It simplifies complex transactions, supports various currencies, and provides automated suggestions to calculate tax obligations accurately. Cello, a carbon-negative blockchain, aims to drive mobile payments and DeFi. With its innovative layer two solutions, Cello promises low gas fees, native eRC-20 token payment, and seamless integration with web wallets.
Mantle Network and decentralized treasury
Mantle Network, a decentralized web 3 ecosystem, utilizes its core product, the mantle network, to provide an efficient Ethereum layer two solution. By reducing gas fees and volatility, Mantle improves stability and fosters the growth of web 3 applications. Mantle's decentralized treasury supports various projects and communities, encouraging expansion in the web 3 space.
Burning energy, intelligence, and life
The concept of life is intricately connected to burning more energy and harnessing intelligence efficiently. Life forms, including humans, evolved to dissipate heat, collect energy, and create order. The advancement of civilization and the quest for energy efficiency and intelligence augmentation are crucial in maximizing positive impact and ensuring a promising future.
One guest, two identities. Beff Jezos (Guillaume Verdon) is a founding father of the e/acc movement, a physicist, a quantum researcher, and the founder of an AI startup called Extropic. Beff thinks AI doomers are not only wrong, but they’re taking humanity in the worst possible direction. Growth. Acceleration. Progress. These are the core pillars of the e/acc movement. Instead of slowing down on AI progress, Beff explains why we should be speeding up.
0:00 Intro 7:15 Why Pseudonym 15:01 The e/acc Pil 31:54 Fume 36:25 Beff’s Beliefs 39:39 Defining e/acc 40:52 The Dangers of AI? 52:05 Why We’re Here & The e/acc Religion? 58:19 Thermodynamics & Life 1:06:16 Maximizing Human Happiness? 1:16:25 Forgetting Society’s Bottom Half 1:23:00 Cancer Also Grows? 1:29:01 AI Regulation 1:33:09 Social Media’s Mistake 1:36:30 AI Bill of Rights 1:38:26 Domesticating AI 1:41:00 Biggest Threats Against e/acc 1:43:43 AI Humans vs. Humans 1:46:09 e/acc vs. Decels…Violence? 1:49:09 Beff’s Thoughts on Crypto 1:54:36 Beff’s Company - Extropic 1:58:18 Closing & Disclaimers
------ Not financial or tax advice. This channel is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. This video is not tax advice. Talk to your accountant. Do your own research.
