I would vote no. One of the major benefits of going on a vacation is collecting memories to look back on later. If my vacation consisted only of wireheading, then when I was done, the memory of feeling bliss would be the only thing I gained. Instead of reminiscing “remember that time we went swimming at vacation spot?”, the only thing I would have is “remember that chemically induced feeling of pure bliss?”
This doesn’t seem like a useful experience to have gained; thinking about an actual event later on could bring back some of that happiness, but reminiscing about the platonic ideal of pure bliss doesn’t seem like a valuable use of my time, nor would it rekindle some of that feeling every time I remembered it. If it could, why don’t I just think about the feeling of pure bliss right now, and get the same effect without needing to go on the vacation?
Now if the vacation induced pure bliss by simulating an awesome adventure instead of just through chemical means, I would probably say yes. This would be the equivalent to going to see an paid week-long entertaining movie. I could relate this to other people, or think about how awesome it was at a later date and get back some of that feeling. But without an actual substantial memory to go with that feeling, I don’t think it would be valuable after it ended. This isn’t even considering the standard arguments against wireheading, which I tend to agree with.
As of this writing, 51% of voters (37 people) would go on the vacation. It is a bold claim to say they cannot be trusted with the decision. Why do you hold this position?
I would vote no. One of the major benefits of going on a vacation is collecting memories to look back on later. If my vacation consisted only of wireheading, then when I was done, the memory of feeling bliss would be the only thing I gained. Instead of reminiscing “remember that time we went swimming at vacation spot?”, the only thing I would have is “remember that chemically induced feeling of pure bliss?”
This doesn’t seem like a useful experience to have gained; thinking about an actual event later on could bring back some of that happiness, but reminiscing about the platonic ideal of pure bliss doesn’t seem like a valuable use of my time, nor would it rekindle some of that feeling every time I remembered it. If it could, why don’t I just think about the feeling of pure bliss right now, and get the same effect without needing to go on the vacation?
Now if the vacation induced pure bliss by simulating an awesome adventure instead of just through chemical means, I would probably say yes. This would be the equivalent to going to see an paid week-long entertaining movie. I could relate this to other people, or think about how awesome it was at a later date and get back some of that feeling. But without an actual substantial memory to go with that feeling, I don’t think it would be valuable after it ended. This isn’t even considering the standard arguments against wireheading, which I tend to agree with.
I agree that good memories are a component of what makes a vacation good, but so is the joy you get from the vacation itself.
I tried that. It has some effect.
I still wouldn’t go on that vacation, no. Actually, I would probably try to outlaw it. :)
As of this writing, 51% of voters (37 people) would go on the vacation. It is a bold claim to say they cannot be trusted with the decision. Why do you hold this position?