LessWrong (Curated & Popular) "Turning 20 in the probable pre-apocalypse" by Parv Mahajan
Dec 23, 2025
In this captivating conversation, Parv Mahajan, an author known for his insightful reflections on the future, shares his personal journey of turning 20 in a world filled with rapid technological change and existential uncertainty. He discusses how the pace of AI progress sparks both excitement and dread, reshaping his mindset from limitation by ability to sheer willpower. Parv emphasizes the urgency of seizing opportunities amid chaos, balancing joy with loneliness, and feeling grateful to be alive during such a pivotal moment.
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Sudden Ceiling Rise From AI
- Rapid AI progress has suddenly raised what's possible while also shifting baseline expectations much faster than anyone can emotionally price.
- Parv Mahajan feels ability constraints replaced by willpower constraints as tools accelerate human capability.
Skipping Lecture For Research
- Parv describes classmates cold-messaging hiring managers and whispering about codex during lectures as daily evidence of changed priorities.
- He stopped attending large lectures and spent most time in research to use his time more effectively.
Opportunity And Obsolescence Move Together
- The accelerating floor means opportunities and obsolescence co-occur; what you work on can become outdated quickly.
- Parv experiences constant opportunity-cost calculations and plans collapsing under long timelines.