I’ve only read bits and pieces of Godel, Escher, Bach but I certainly mean to read more. I’d borrow it from my parents, but my father (who showed me the Crab Canon when I was ten) is reading it to my fourteen year old little brother, and I’m certainly not about to interrupt! Maybe once I get around to paying back my library fees, yeah?
TrickBlack
Karma: 3
I’m interested to hear what you think is more important in terms of making a difference—the money or the job. Some jobs (teacher, social worker) which can have quite an impact can also have low salaries—teaching in particular is under political attack in the United States. Such jobs don’t allow for as much donation to charity. On the other hand, there are jobs with high salaries (say, in the business and corporate world) which make a low or potentially negative impact, but have a larger salary which they could donate to charity.
There are of course jobs which fall under both categories—the medical profession in particular can be quite well-paying while making a very positive impact. Unfortunately, not everyone who wants to make a difference can be (or wants to be) a doctor (I believe that enjoying your job is very important for various reasons, but that’s a matter for another day).
So what’s better—more teachers dedicated to helping their students towards the future, or more Warren Buffetts? If you had to ask each of a million people to donate to only one of your charities, which would you advocate for?
So I read the title and thought you mean the risk of AI having existential crises… which is an interesting question, when you think about it.
Sometimes I’d really rather be a dolphin, y’know? They’re quite intelligent, and aren’t about to destroy the world by accident. Or maybe a bonobo.