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Hughes does a superb job of expounding a different view of Singularity thinking from the dominant free-market, libertarian model. I hope to pass this on to many of my progressive friends who are uneasy about transhumanism and Singularity studies.
Posted by CygnusX1 on 02/03 at 09:56 AM
Excellent stuff – passionate and funny!
James beware, seems you are merely a step away from entering politics and becoming a politician!
Regarding the nobility of work, and I think you covered it well, but just to remind you that Ayn Rand's ethic regarding work is that work IS noble, Human effort to strive for purpose and happiness in their lives and for both the betterment of themselves and mankind and in the "work" that they do is noble, (lest you forget this)? Such are the alignments in ethics that we can so easily overlook when taking political stances?
Rand declares "money is not evil!" – indeed money is not, it is substance. Self-ishness, (exceeding rational self interest), resulting in the pursuit of greed is!
Tis indeed the truth that work today, (and for most of Human history) = wage servitude (or slavery)
Tis indeed the truth, (and for most of Human history) that property rights are there to protect you from those who would not hesitate to confiscate and steal your noble works and efforts, if you were to permit this?
And earlier you touched upon another Libertarian ethic also, where you indicated skills downsizing, and more importantly, end of wage servitude results in more self-sufficiency and perhaps a return to a more basic ethic towards work and "chopping your own wood" and 3D printing your own foodstuffs?
This would seem to conflict with an ethic of social welfare and provision for all? Can we employ both? I would say yes, because an end to Human labour and wage servitude need not result in an end to personal social responsibility towards participation, social contract, and whatever "work" there is left to do? Quid pro quo?
Please note, this does not make me a hardened Libertarian, (a label for which I am often accused here!)
Also.. One way to scale the fiscal cliff is to bring it down to your level?
Here's an amusing, (and now well known), anecdote from someone who can see the emperor has no cloths?
"Noddy Holder asks some pertinent questions on 'Have I Got News For You' Christmas Special - 2008."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_4mc3MHRlw
Persistent and incremental reduction of Global debt through world political agreement would seem like the first practical steps to deconstructing a socioeconomic system based upon debt?
Just the ease of debt upon the masses would be enough to help promote the ideals towards increased prosperity for all?
"Jubilee Debt Campaign is demanding an end to the scandal of poor countries paying money to the rich world. We are calling for 100% cancellation of unpayable and unjust poor country debts.
The world's most impoverished countries are forced to pay millions of dollars EVERY DAY to the rich world in debt repayments, while poverty kills millions of their people. Meanwhile, creditors use their power over indebted countries to force them to privatise their services, open up their markets or cut essential spending."
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