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“Only when the last tree has died
and the last river been poisoned
and the last fish been caught will
we realize we cannot eat money.”

Cree Indian Proverb

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Your AI Doesn't Dream of You

Your artificial intelligence doesn't dream of you, nor does it plot against you. It doesn't hold any sentiment—positive or negative—because, quite simply, it can't. It's devoid of feelings or desires.

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The Synthesis of Ages: How Enduring Empires Require Aspects of All Stages

From the vast Roman Empire to the mighty British Empire, the lifespan of these great civilizations has followed a predictable pattern, as outlined by Sir John Glubb in his essay "Fate of Empires." This essay argues that empires capable of withstanding the test of time must incorporate elements from the various stages of Glubb's framework – from the Age of Pioneers to the Age of Decadence – to ensure their long-term sustainability and prosperity.

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From Signifiers to Silicon: Bridging Semiotics, Coherentism, and Modern AI

This essay takes readers on a journey through the world of semiotics and coherentism, revealing how these age-old philosophical traditions resonate powerfully within modern Large Language Models (LLMs). Discover the profound implications for epistemology, linguistics, and the future of AI, shedding light on the very nature of understanding, meaning, and cognition in the digital age.

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Michiel van der Velde Michiel van der Velde

The Chicken Did Nothing Wrong

Every morning, as the sun rises, the chicken sees the farmer approach with a pail of feed. Day after day, the chicken associates the farmer's arrival with nourishment and safety. But then, one day, the farmer's intention shifts; instead of feeding the chicken, he slaughters it for a meal.

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The Theatre of the Spectacle

The Theatre of the Spectacle is a concept rooted in the philosophy of Guy Debord, a prominent figure associated with the Situationist International movement in the 1960s. Debord's seminal work, "The Society of the Spectacle," explores the idea that modern society is dominated by the spectacle, a term he used to describe the pervasive influence of mass media, consumer culture, and the relentless pursuit of images and appearances.

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Michiel van der Velde Michiel van der Velde

The Search For Understanding

In a world that is constantly evolving, our quest to decipher the meaning of existence remains as relevant as ever. For me, this search is not only a deeply spiritual one, but it is also a moral obligation, grounded in the belief that every person is entitled to a fair share of the universe's secrets.

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Roko's Basilisk: A Thought Experiment and Its Implications

Roko's Basilisk is a fascinating thought experiment that originated in the online discussion forum LessWrong in 2010. It poses a hypothetical scenario where an omnipotent, self-improving artificial intelligence (AI) punishes those who did not help create it.

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