LessWrong (Curated & Popular) “AI Doomerism in 1879” by David Gross
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May 21, 2025 Delve into a compelling discussion about the future of work and humanity's place in an automated world. Characters debate whether technology will liberate us from drudgery or lead to our obsolescence. Explore concerns over machines outpacing human capabilities and the philosophical implications of intelligent automation. As machines evolve, will they enhance our creativity or replace us entirely? The conversation sparks reflections on our dependence on technology and the potential crises of consciousness in a rapidly advancing landscape.
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AI Doomerism Anticipated in 1879
- George Eliot's 1879 work presciently anticipated modern AI doomerism through a character's concerns about automation.
- It highlights fears that machines will surpass not just manual labor but intellectual tasks, threatening human obsolescence.
Automation Threatens Human Labor
- Automation threatens to nullify human labor, not only in menial tasks but eventually intellectual pursuits.
- A machine for finding true premises might emerge, eclipsing human reasoning and superseding humanity.
Machines as Human Extensions
- Trost argues machines are extensions of human skill requiring human oversight, thus cannot replace humans entirely.
- Humans remain essential for constructing, feeding, and interpreting machines despite increasing automation.