I’d say, however that people aren’t necessarily criticising his manifesto because they don’t believe in the idea that technology drives productivity, which drives growth and prosperity.
I agree with him on that 100%.
But not every human problem is about economic growth. That’s reductive and therefore destructive.
And second, I see that you at least acknowledge the role of some regulation or government funded R&D, which he plainly dismisses. There needs to be a balancing, opposing force to ensure we don’t accidentally induce a wipeout, tail risk event due to carelessly marching off a cliff
I suspect that some opposition to technology comes from old money families whose existing income generating investments would be disrupted.
There’s a saying: “Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.” It’s not always true. Sometimes it takes four or five. Some families do manage to hang on.
The key message being that technology can make us better in every way. It can make us happier, more wealthy, more peaceful and more productive. It is the great enabler of human progress.
Further, because of the law of inflation, we need to keep growing and expanding. So even standing still will take us backwards. Therefore we have no choice but to advance -- never ending improvement!
That Gizmodo piece is so cringe-inducingly awful. My goodness.
Nice. I’ll add your book to my reading list.
I’d say, however that people aren’t necessarily criticising his manifesto because they don’t believe in the idea that technology drives productivity, which drives growth and prosperity.
I agree with him on that 100%.
But not every human problem is about economic growth. That’s reductive and therefore destructive.
And second, I see that you at least acknowledge the role of some regulation or government funded R&D, which he plainly dismisses. There needs to be a balancing, opposing force to ensure we don’t accidentally induce a wipeout, tail risk event due to carelessly marching off a cliff
They are afraid someone will get rich.
I suspect that some opposition to technology comes from old money families whose existing income generating investments would be disrupted.
There’s a saying: “Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.” It’s not always true. Sometimes it takes four or five. Some families do manage to hang on.
I think this ties to the Transhumanist movement.
https://www.humanityplus.org/about
The key message being that technology can make us better in every way. It can make us happier, more wealthy, more peaceful and more productive. It is the great enabler of human progress.
Further, because of the law of inflation, we need to keep growing and expanding. So even standing still will take us backwards. Therefore we have no choice but to advance -- never ending improvement!