I get the sense that “organization” is more or less a euphemism for “corporation” in this post. I understand that the term could have political connotations, but it’s hard (for me at least) to easily evaluate an abstract conclusion like “many organizations are of supra-human intelligence and strive actively to enhance their cognitive powers” without trying to generate concrete examples. Imprecise terminology inhibits this.
When you quote lukeprog saying
It would be a kind of weird corporation that was better than the best human or even the median human at all the things that humans do. [Organizations] aren’t usually the best in music and AI research and theory proving and stock markets and composing novels.
should the word “corporation” in the first sentence be “[organization]”?
That’s certainly true. It seems to me that in this case, sbenthall was describing entities more akin to Google than to the Yankees or to the Townsville High School glee club; “corporations” is over-narrow but accurate, while “organizations” is over-broad and imprecise.
I get the sense that “organization” is more or less a euphemism for “corporation” in this post. I understand that the term could have political connotations, but it’s hard (for me at least) to easily evaluate an abstract conclusion like “many organizations are of supra-human intelligence and strive actively to enhance their cognitive powers” without trying to generate concrete examples. Imprecise terminology inhibits this.
When you quote lukeprog saying
should the word “corporation” in the first sentence be “[organization]”?
Yes, at least to be consistent with my attempt at de-politicizing the post :) I’ve corrected it. Thanks.
I wasn’t sure what sort of posts were considered acceptable. I’m glad that particular examples have come up in the comments.
Do you think I should use particular examples in future posts? I could.
I think that as a general rule, specific examples and precise language always improve an argument.
There are lots more organisations than corporations.
That’s certainly true. It seems to me that in this case, sbenthall was describing entities more akin to Google than to the Yankees or to the Townsville High School glee club; “corporations” is over-narrow but accurate, while “organizations” is over-broad and imprecise.