The Gom Jabbar, in Dune, is a deeper metaphor than I realized.
-
-
I think evolution probably *has* selected for the ability to pass the Gom Jabbar test in humans. Iirc all modern humans passed through a drought-and-famine bottleneck. We may have needed to do counter-instinctual things to survive.
Show this thread -
It seems clear that in radically changing environments, individuals who can seek survival faster than evolution can change the reward function will have a fitness advantage.
Show this thread -
The Bene Gesserit, in Dune, were a response to technology. They thought developing this “survival intent” in people was necessary for humanity to cope with technological change.
Show this thread -
Unfortunately, Dune is fiction, not a how-to manual. We don’t know how to make humans who are all-round just better at being human. Would be cool though. Open problem.
Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
Quick thing I wrote about this a while ago? https://sniffnoy.dreamwidth.org/539557.html
-
Wow, this is great.
- 3 more replies
New conversation -
-
-
I was discussing with someone recently the “tile the universe with brains having orgasms” idea of a good outcome, and this captures something I feel that picture is missing.
-
Part of what’s good about orgasms is they feel great, but a whole other part is that they are grounded in a constructive context: a connection with another person, or deeper self-knowledge via self-exploration and self-expression, or even the classic “intent to have kids”.
- 1 more reply
New conversation -
-
-
Torture and live. Figured that one out in high school.
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
-
This Tweet is unavailable.
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.