Explanation
Andrew Critch, March 2023:
By boundaries, I just mean the approximate causal separation of regions in some kind of physical space (e.g., spacetime) or abstract space (e.g., cyberspace). Here are some examples from my «Boundaries» Sequence:
a cell membrane (separates the inside of a cell from the outside);
a person’s skin (separates the inside of their body from the outside);
a fence around a family’s yard (separates the family’s place of living-together from neighbors and others);
a digital firewall around a local area network (separates the LAN and its users from the rest of the internet);
a sustained disassociation of social groups (separates the two groups from each other)
a national border (separates a state from neighboring states or international waters).
Applications
One application of boundaries to formalize the concept of safety.
Compilation
«Boundaries»/membranes and AI safety compilation.
Beware a common misunderstanding
When I say boundary, I don’t just mean an arbitrary constraint or social norm. («Boundaries» Pt. 1)
It is for this reason that I (@Chipmonk) often use the term “membranes” instead of “boundaries”. It aids understanding.
Credits
Tag created and maintained by Chipmonk, membranes/«boundaries» enthusiast. 2023 April.