Angry Planet The Cult of Rationalism in Silicon Valley
11 snips
Mar 25, 2025 Max Read, journalist and author of the Reed Max Substack, unpacks the cult-like nature of rationalism in Silicon Valley. He reveals how rationalism, a blend of movement and self-help, shapes tech ideologies and influences decisions regarding artificial intelligence. Read discusses the dangers posed by superintelligent systems and critiques the oversimplified thinking prevalent in these communities. He emphasizes the moral ambiguities that arise in effective altruism, while questioning the belief that technology can solve complex human issues.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Defining Rationalism
- Rationalism, a blend of movement, community, and self-help program, emphasizes perfecting reasoning skills.
- It offers a range of beliefs, from eliminating biases to potentially justifying extreme actions.
Origins of Rationalism
- Rationalism emerged in the 2000s, tied to Eliezer Yudkowsky's blog and the belief in a coming superintelligence.
- Yudkowsky's focus on AI safety and alignment influenced a community of like-minded individuals.
Harry Potter Fanfic
- Yudkowsky wrote "Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality," a fanfic applying rationalist methods to magic.
- This fanfic acts as a gateway to rationalism, appealing to those who think differently.