[edit: clarifying violent/destructive direct action vs nonviolent obstructive direct action.]
I have a different point of view on this. I think PauseAI is mistaken, and insofar as they actually succeeded at their aims would in fact worsen the situation by shifting research emphasis onto improving algorithmic efficiency.
On the other hand, I believe every successful nonviolent grassroots push for significant governance change has been accompanied by a disavowed activist fringe.
Look at the history of Ghandi’s movement, of MLK’s. Both set their peaceful movements up in opposition to the more violent/destructive direct-action embracing rebels (e.g. Malcom X). I think this is in fact an important aid to such a movement. If the powers-that-be find themselves choosing between cooperating with the peaceful protest movement, or radicalizing more opponents into the violent/destructive direct-action movement, then they are more likely to come to a compromise. No progress without discomfort.
Consider the alternative, a completely mild protest movement that carefully avoids upsetting anyone, and no hint of a radical fringe willing to take violent/destructive direct action. How far does this get? Not far, based on my read of history. The BATNA of ignoring the peaceful protest movement versus compromising with them is that they keep being non-upsetting. The BATNA of ignoring the peaceful protest movement when there is a violent/destructive protest movement also ongoing which is trying to recruit from the peaceful movement, is that you strengthen the violent/destructive activist movement by refusing to compromise with the peaceful movement.
I do think it’s important for the ‘sensible AI safety movement’ to distance itself from the ‘activist AI safety movement’, and I intend to be part of the sensible side, but that doesn’t mean I want the activist side to stop existing.
Look at the history of Ghandi’s movement, of MLK’s. Both set their peaceful movements up in opposition to the more direct-action and/or violence-embracing rebels (e.g. Malcom X)
King specifically endorsed “direct action” using those exact words, for instance in his letter from Birmingham jail, which is often read in schools when discussing the political activism of that era. King’s notion of “nonviolent direct action” included protest marches obstructing public streets, sit-ins obstructing private businesses, and other illegal public demonstrations.
You may well ask, “Why direct action, why sit-ins, marches, and so forth? Isn’t negotiation a better path?” You are exactly right in your call for negotiation. Indeed, this is the purpose of direct action. Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and establish such creative tension that a community that has consistently refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue. It seeks so to dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored.
Good point, I should use a different term to distinguish “destructive/violent direct action” from “non-violent obstructive/inconvenient direct action”.
[edit: clarifying violent/destructive direct action vs nonviolent obstructive direct action.]
I have a different point of view on this. I think PauseAI is mistaken, and insofar as they actually succeeded at their aims would in fact worsen the situation by shifting research emphasis onto improving algorithmic efficiency.
On the other hand, I believe every successful nonviolent grassroots push for significant governance change has been accompanied by a disavowed activist fringe.
Look at the history of Ghandi’s movement, of MLK’s. Both set their peaceful movements up in opposition to the more violent/destructive direct-action embracing rebels (e.g. Malcom X). I think this is in fact an important aid to such a movement. If the powers-that-be find themselves choosing between cooperating with the peaceful protest movement, or radicalizing more opponents into the violent/destructive direct-action movement, then they are more likely to come to a compromise. No progress without discomfort.
Consider the alternative, a completely mild protest movement that carefully avoids upsetting anyone, and no hint of a radical fringe willing to take violent/destructive direct action. How far does this get? Not far, based on my read of history. The BATNA of ignoring the peaceful protest movement versus compromising with them is that they keep being non-upsetting. The BATNA of ignoring the peaceful protest movement when there is a violent/destructive protest movement also ongoing which is trying to recruit from the peaceful movement, is that you strengthen the violent/destructive activist movement by refusing to compromise with the peaceful movement.
I do think it’s important for the ‘sensible AI safety movement’ to distance itself from the ‘activist AI safety movement’, and I intend to be part of the sensible side, but that doesn’t mean I want the activist side to stop existing.
King specifically endorsed “direct action” using those exact words, for instance in his letter from Birmingham jail, which is often read in schools when discussing the political activism of that era. King’s notion of “nonviolent direct action” included protest marches obstructing public streets, sit-ins obstructing private businesses, and other illegal public demonstrations.
Good point, I should use a different term to distinguish “destructive/violent direct action” from “non-violent obstructive/inconvenient direct action”.