LessWrong (Curated & Popular) “Intelligence Is Not Magic, But Your Threshold For ‘Magic’ Is Pretty Low” by Expertium
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Jun 17, 2025 The discussion kick-starts with the idea that intelligence, while impressive, is bound by the laws of physics. Examples like Trevor Rainbolt’s astonishing ability to identify locations from mere glimpses challenge our perception of magic in intelligence. The conversation also dives into Joaquín Guzmán’s cunning, illustrating how extraordinary skills can seem almost supernatural. Ultimately, the podcast questions our thresholds for what we consider magical and the implications for superintelligent AI.
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Trevor Rainbolt's Stunning Intuition
- Trevor Rainbolt can guess the country from a photo in just 0.1 seconds.
- He identified Indonesia from a plain blue sky and Jordan from pavement alone.
El Chapo's Prison-run Empire
- Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán ran a drug empire even while imprisoned.
- This shows intelligence can achieve remarkable feats despite severe constraints.
Stephen Wiltshire's Memory Art
- Stephen Wiltshire drew an accurate 19-foot panoramic of NYC after a 20-minute helicopter ride.
- He captured details like windows and floors perfectly from memory.