Crypto-bros: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Crypt-bros-future-spaceballs-tescreal-transhuman-extropy-singularity.jpg|thumb|A libertarian futurologist prognosticating wildly]] | |||
There are various [[philosophies]] promoted by prominent members of the technological elite that serve as dangerous distractions from the path towards a [[society]] that works towards the [[happiness]] of all its people. | There are various [[philosophies]] promoted by prominent members of the technological elite that serve as dangerous distractions from the path towards a [[society]] that works towards the [[happiness]] of all its people. | ||
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Techno-optimism breeds complacency and subverts collective action by placating people with promises of magical sci-fi solutions to problems that still need to be solved. We should do our best to find these solutions, but providing funding and changing [[incentive]] structures still requires collective action. | Techno-optimism breeds complacency and subverts collective action by placating people with promises of magical sci-fi solutions to problems that still need to be solved. We should do our best to find these solutions, but providing funding and changing [[incentive]] structures still requires collective action. | ||
This is similar to the saying "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_helps_those_who_help_themselves God helps those who help themselves]". [[Technology]] will help us, but only if we do the work to raise awareness of issues, fund the basic research, and engineer the solution even if it cannot be [[ | This is similar to the saying "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God_helps_those_who_help_themselves God helps those who help themselves]". [[Technology]] will help us, but only if we do the work to raise awareness of issues, fund the basic research, and engineer the solution even if it cannot be [[Capitalism|sold profitably]]. | ||
{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riVrcxRs0YM||center|What is Techno-Optimism?|frame}} | {{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riVrcxRs0YM||center|What is Techno-Optimism?|frame}} | ||
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== TESCREAL == | == TESCREAL == | ||
Crypto-bros promote a [https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/138505710 Mirror World] version of [[metaculture]] based on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timnit_Gebru#:~:text=Gebru%20has%20used%20the%20acronym,%2C%20Effective%20Altruism%2C%20and%20Longtermism. TESCREAL] -- [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transhumanism Transhumanism], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extropianism Extropianism], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singularitarianism Singularitarianism], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_cosmism Cosmism], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rationalism Rationalism], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effective_Altruism Effective Altruism], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longtermism Longtermism]. While both systems of thought purport to be concerned about the [[future]] of humanity, [[metaculture]] focuses on what should be done in the here-and-now to [[ | Crypto-bros promote a [https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/138505710 Mirror World] version of [[metaculture]] based on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timnit_Gebru#:~:text=Gebru%20has%20used%20the%20acronym,%2C%20Effective%20Altruism%2C%20and%20Longtermism. TESCREAL] -- [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transhumanism Transhumanism], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extropianism Extropianism], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singularitarianism Singularitarianism], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_cosmism Cosmism], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rationalism Rationalism], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effective_Altruism Effective Altruism], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longtermism Longtermism]. While both systems of thought purport to be concerned about the [[future]] of humanity, [[metaculture]] focuses on what should be done in the here-and-now to [[Utilitarianism|help the living]], while TESCREAL is focused on the sci-fi [[future]] when we have cyborg implants and colonize the stars. Such things are fun to contemplate, but it is incredibly sad and frustrating that so many of our smartest and most powerful [[minds]] dedicate their energy to helping [[Theoretical people|theoretical future humans]] instead of living people on whom their [[money]] and talent could have a huge and immediate impact. | ||
See the [[future]] if you really want to talk Transhumanism. | See the [[future]] if you really want to talk Transhumanism. | ||
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The issue is that most [[secular]] and [[progressive]] people are inherently resistant to any established [[belief system]] due to the fact that once you establish one it becomes [[dogma]]. And once you have [[dogma]] you have hierarchy, resistance to change, and the [[truth]] leaves you behind. This is understandable, but it puts them at quite a disadvantage when it comes to appealing to those who are seeking out a [[belief system]] and don't really want to have to figure everything out for themselves. | The issue is that most [[secular]] and [[progressive]] people are inherently resistant to any established [[belief system]] due to the fact that once you establish one it becomes [[dogma]]. And once you have [[dogma]] you have hierarchy, resistance to change, and the [[truth]] leaves you behind. This is understandable, but it puts them at quite a disadvantage when it comes to appealing to those who are seeking out a [[belief system]] and don't really want to have to figure everything out for themselves. | ||
[[metaculture]] avoids this issue by putting [[science]] and the [[ | [[metaculture]] avoids this issue by putting [[science]] and the [[Science|scientific method]] at the core of that [[dogma]]. | ||
Only when you have a coherent [[belief system]] that you can put forth as an alternative to the one being advocated by the manosphere will their influence in modern [[culture]] start to wane. | Only when you have a coherent [[belief system]] that you can put forth as an alternative to the one being advocated by the manosphere will their influence in modern [[culture]] start to wane. | ||
Revision as of 00:43, 25 January 2024
There are various philosophies promoted by prominent members of the technological elite that serve as dangerous distractions from the path towards a society that works towards the happiness of all its people.
Techno-Optimism
In the early days of the Internet, there was so much optimism and idealism about what distributed networks could do.
Unfortunately, for many of them these ideals devolved into digital pyramid schemes that confuse arbitrarily inflated asset values with intellect, enabling propaganda with building community, and enabling criminality with expanding freedom.
Techno-Optimism that once sought to solve the modern problems of humanity has turned into an objectivist, futurist fever-dream, using effective altruism to justify enriching themselves, and being more concerned about the happiness and well-being of future humans than those suffering in the here-and-now reality that their technologies are shaping.
The basic premise of techno-optimism, that human ingenuity will be able to provide solutions to problems like overpopulation and peak oil with GMOs and electric cars is true in many cases. The problem is that we can't see the future and we don't know which problems will actually get solved before things get really bad. Climate change is the primary example.
Techno-optimism breeds complacency and subverts collective action by placating people with promises of magical sci-fi solutions to problems that still need to be solved. We should do our best to find these solutions, but providing funding and changing incentive structures still requires collective action.
This is similar to the saying "God helps those who help themselves". Technology will help us, but only if we do the work to raise awareness of issues, fund the basic research, and engineer the solution even if it cannot be sold profitably.
TESCREAL
Crypto-bros promote a Mirror World version of metaculture based on TESCREAL -- Transhumanism, Extropianism, Singularitarianism, Cosmism, Rationalism, Effective Altruism, and Longtermism. While both systems of thought purport to be concerned about the future of humanity, metaculture focuses on what should be done in the here-and-now to help the living, while TESCREAL is focused on the sci-fi future when we have cyborg implants and colonize the stars. Such things are fun to contemplate, but it is incredibly sad and frustrating that so many of our smartest and most powerful minds dedicate their energy to helping theoretical future humans instead of living people on whom their money and talent could have a huge and immediate impact.
See the future if you really want to talk Transhumanism.
The Right Wing Manosphere
The Right Wing Manosphere is a network of websites, podcasts, and social media accounts that promote a hierarchical, anti-feminist, anti-liberal viewpoint targeted towards young and impressionable teenage men. Some are ideologues, some are canceled minor celebrities that have been scorned by the mainstream media, some are social media celebrities that have discovered the rich monetization opportunities of bootlicking. They are collectively one of the most corrosive influences on the politics and morality of the next generation.
They start with good advice like "clean up your room and get in shape" before leading viewers into a right-wing rabbit hole of conspiracy, misogyny, authoritarianism, and grift.
When researching the videos that are linked to this wiki, certain topics would be almost exclusively populated by manosphere-related videos when you search for them, or a mix of Jordan Peterson and Evangelicals. This was especially the case with subjects like belief systems, the search for meaning, life choices, sex, and a lot of things that impressionable young men seeking an online mentor might search for. Disheartening, to say the least.
The issue is that most secular and progressive people are inherently resistant to any established belief system due to the fact that once you establish one it becomes dogma. And once you have dogma you have hierarchy, resistance to change, and the truth leaves you behind. This is understandable, but it puts them at quite a disadvantage when it comes to appealing to those who are seeking out a belief system and don't really want to have to figure everything out for themselves.
metaculture avoids this issue by putting science and the scientific method at the core of that dogma.
Only when you have a coherent belief system that you can put forth as an alternative to the one being advocated by the manosphere will their influence in modern culture start to wane.
The Narcissist Economy
Idealistic and intelligent technophiles are easily led astray once the money train rolls in. Regardless of whether the money comes from crypto, a successful IPO, or even just a high-paying tech job, the lure of self-justification through libertarianism has a very strong pull. Those who have failed to resist its siren song are herein referred to as Crypto-Bros.