The rich and powerful have hijacked progress throughout history, says Daron Acemoğlu. They did so back in the Middle Ages and also now in the age of artificial intelligence. In an interview, the MIT economist dives into the question of whether Silicon Valley is plunging humanity into destitution.
    • saucyloggins@lemmy.worldEnglish
      181·
      2 years ago

      Trump is almost 1:1 a character straight from Transmetropolitan.

      Then you have people like Elon that are straight from any cyberpunk media corporate heads.

      The parallels between the themes of a cyberpunk dystopia and the present are drawing pretty close.

      We just don’t get any of the cool shit like cybernetic implants.

  • rivermonster@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    4·
    2 years ago

    Getting rid of capitalism is the first step to a better future. AI advances and productivity are completely and utterly incompatible with capitalism.

    UBI and near 100% tax on all AI productivity gains are critical to avoiding the worst of the worst dystopian hellscapes.

  • Chickenstalker@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    2 years ago

    The Fediverse is the first pebble rolling down the hill of corporate internet. 3D printers, AI generated media, right to repair, modular phones and laptops, all are the beginning of the end of mega tech companies in the consumer sphere. Our grandchildren will look at us the same way we look at medieval societies.