In the long term, humans won't face any challenges apart from those we set for ourselves. But all sports and games (and most music) are defined by self-imposed challenges, and many of us find them incredibly meaningful. So I don't see this as a major obstacle to our flourishing.
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Also notable that Burning Man, the closest thing we have to a post- scarcity culture, has been very much shaped by the choice to locate it in an inhospitable desert. Not a coincidence, I think!
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One should be cautious of generalizing from a small group of very specifically selected people (especially since these post-scarcity burning man types are so similar to us).
Some Israeli kibbutzim worked fine in a high trust, high IQ, and highly motivated setting. But… Show more
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The struggle is real! (Lol) just self-imposed.
Re sports/games: 100s of millions of normal people are dedicated sports fans, hardcore gamers, musos etc. Burners are the most novelty-seeking people on earth and so if anything the least easily satisfied by self-imposed challenges.
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Without wanting to be gloomy, who is gonna pay for the existence of us all if we don't create value?
Like if the answer is "The OpenAI" non-profit, in not exactly reassured.
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I think the enduring popularity and enjoyability of chess and go is a particularly good example of this hope.
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ja well u vaaastly overestimate or underestimate "apart from those we set for ourselves", because u are in a priviledged position, where that illusion is default-convenient. eg now from here it looks like u have already now released a dev that seems to enfold beyond your control
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I had friends who had to stop fencing because the (train, compete) loop was such a good source of meaning they didn’t feel the need to strive in outside life. Asymptotically approaching perfection is surprisingly meaningful!
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I think so too, but the transition from being needed to finding fulfilling self imposed challenges might be difficult for some.
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