[RST][C][HF] Just binged The Promised Neverland

Under Trump, AI Scientists Are Told to Remove ‘Ideological Bias’ From Powerful Models | A directive from the National Institute of Standards and Technology eliminates mention of “AI safety” and “AI fairness.”

The real underlying problem is that humans just absolutely love slop: "AI-generated poetry is indistinguishable from human-written poetry and is rated more favorably." Across any dimension against which you rate poetry too. Including witty.

Chapters 1-5 - Death Mafia [A Death Game Story]

A Serious Critique of Cyberpunk Edgerunners: "Cyberpunk Edgerunners is one of the most hyped animes of 2022. It also provides an opportunity to discuss many important themes in 21st century media: Nihilism, dystopia, transhumanism, sexuality, violence, crime, and 'mature content'."

[RST][C][HSF] "Kindness to Kin" by Eliezer Yudkowsky: "There was an anomaly in our evolution. We desire to benefit even those who have zero shared-genetic-variance with us. That anomaly is how our species has risen to the point of sending these silvery spheres throughout the night sky."

The Categories Were Made for Man to Make Predictions: "Rationalists can't insist on using the one true categorization system, because it turns out that—in all philosophical strictness—no such thing exists. But that doesn't release us from our sacred duty to describe what's actually true."

Mainstream Media is Worse Than Silence by Bryan Caplan: "Most people would have a better Big Picture if they went cold turkey. Read no newspapers. Watch no television news. In plenty of cases, this would lead people to be entirely unaware of a problem that - like a mosquito bite - is best ignored."

ACX Links For February 2025

Entrepreneurial protagonists in rational fiction

What else should Grok do?

"You hear Costco is great. One friend describes it as a 'shopping Disney World'. You start thinking about it. You have some extra cash. You decide to try it out, you'll save that much money in gas anyway! What's the worst that can happen?--"

[RST][C][EDU] "Lives Of The Rationalist Saints" by Scott Alexander

Children Believe Every Lie: "I knew my parents cared enough about me to not lie to me. The message was very clear: we won't even lie to you about Santa, despite how popular that lie is... These people will lie to their own children for no other reason than because it's FUN. You can't trust them."

Selfishly Speaking, Who Should Skip College?

What are the best works of rational science fiction that have plausible portrayal(s) of interstellar or intergalactic navies and armies and how they would conduct military operations and engagements?

"The Pragmatics of Patriotism" by Robert A. Heinlein: "But why would anyone want to become a naval officer? ...Why would anyone elect a career which is unappreciated, overworked, and underpaid? It can't be just to wear a pretty uniform. There has to be a better reason."

The Obvious-Once-You-Think-About-It Reason Why Education Cuts Fertility by Bryan Caplan: "Almost everyone wants to finish their education before having kids & there is strong stigma against those who do otherwise. The trade-off rich countries face is between runaway credential inflation & oblivion."

Why is there such great affinity for GMU economists among the rationality community?

Human Reproduction as Prisoner's Dilemma: "The core problem marriage solves is that it takes almost 20 years & an enormous amount of work & resources to raise kids. This makes human reproduction analogous to a prisoner's dilemma. Both dad & mom can choose to fully commit or pursue other options."

Being single is tough nowadays

Are archived Slate Star Codex posts edited in anyway?

Are there any things you wish to see, do or experience before the advent of AGI?

[D] Friday Open Thread

AI: I like it when I make it. I hate it when others make it.