I would point out that these concepts only exist in finite games. Yes, “survive the development of AGI” is very much a finite game we have to win, but “then continue to thrive afterwards” is an infinite game. Life, in general, is an infinite game. For infinite games, these boundaries blur or vanish. In some sense it’s all midgame, however many transitions and phases the midgame includes.
I would point out that these concepts only exist in finite games. Yes, “survive the development of AGI” is very much a finite game we have to win, but “then continue to thrive afterwards” is an infinite game. Life, in general, is an infinite game. For infinite games, these boundaries blur or vanish. In some sense it’s all midgame, however many transitions and phases the midgame includes.