I do think the terminology of “hacks” and “lethal memetic viruses” conjures up images of an extremely unnatural brain exploits when you mean quite a natural process that we already see some humans going through. Some monks/nuns voluntarily remove themselves from the gene pool and, in sects that prioritise ritual devotion over concrete charity work, they are also minimising their impact on the world.
My prior is this level of voluntary dedication (to a cause like “enlightenment”) seems difficult to induce and there are much cruder and effective brain hacks available.
I expect we would recognise the more lethal brain hacks as improved versions of entertainment/games/pornography/drugs. These already compel some humans to minimise their time spent competing for resources in the physical world. In a direct way, what I’m describing is the opposite of enlightenment. It is prioritising sensory pleasures over everything else.
I do think the terminology of “hacks” and “lethal memetic viruses” conjures up images of an extremely unnatural brain exploits when you mean quite a natural process that we already see some humans going through. Some monks/nuns voluntarily remove themselves from the gene pool and, in sects that prioritise ritual devotion over concrete charity work, they are also minimising their impact on the world.
My prior is this level of voluntary dedication (to a cause like “enlightenment”) seems difficult to induce and there are much cruder and effective brain hacks available.
I expect we would recognise the more lethal brain hacks as improved versions of entertainment/games/pornography/drugs. These already compel some humans to minimise their time spent competing for resources in the physical world. In a direct way, what I’m describing is the opposite of enlightenment. It is prioritising sensory pleasures over everything else.