Intelligent Machines (Video) IM 821: Just Count the Server Racks - Veo 3 in Action
May 29, 2025
Join science journalist and astrophysicist Adam Becker as he unpacks the intriguing intersection of technology, society, and the human experience. He critiques the myth of technological salvation, advocating for fixing Earth instead of colonizing Mars. The discussion dives into AI misconceptions and the chaotic role of billionaires in shaping our futures. Becker also humorously highlights the absurdity of AI failures, while examining the rise of women-led startups in Saudi Arabia, showcasing a future ripe with potential amidst technological upheaval.
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Limits of Exponential Trends
- Exponential trends like Moore's Law always end eventually; they cannot last indefinitely.
- Kurzweil's singularity idea ignores these natural limits, making it implausible.
Mars as a Backup is Implausible
- Mars is extraordinarily inhospitable with low gravity, high radiation, no air, and toxic soil.
- Earth will remain a better place to live even under worst catastrophe scenarios.
Problems with Long-Termist Views
- Long-termists prioritize distant future human lives often over present problems.
- Their AI extinction fears rely on speculative, unlikely scenarios like the paperclip maximizer.
