For obvious evolutionary reasons, we are excellent at responding to experience. If something goes horribly wrong, we learn, we adapt, we act to reduce the risk of it going horribly wrong again. But something that could go wrong, but hasn’t yet? No matter how foreseeable — even obvious — the threat is, that is a mere abstraction. It doesn’t move us. We don’t act.
Until it actually goes horribly wrong. Then we act.
Cynics have dubbed this the “tombstone mentality.” History is littered with exhibits of its handiwork. So are cemeteries.
by Dan Gardner, PastPresentFuture | Read more:
Image: uncredited
[ed. Check out these predictions: AI Takeoff Forecast 2027; Review: AI 2027; and AI 2027: Media, Reactions, Criticism. I don't know, 2027 isn't looking good.]
