Capitalism: A Misaligned AGI We Built Ourselves

The Borg are Amateurs

In the annals of the sci-fi genre, one of the most horrifying narratives is the rise of an artificial general intelligence (AGI) that, left unchecked, devours all resources in single-minded pursuit of a narrowly defined goal. We call this the Paperclip Maximizer problem: an AGI tasked with manufacturing paperclips, which ends up converting all matter - including humans - into paperclips.

Now, what if I told you that we are already living with a similar scenario? That our society is in the grip of a Borg-like entity, relentless in its mission to convert all available resources into one thing: profit. This entity is capitalism.

The Nature of the Beast

Capitalism, much like the fictional AGI, is not inherently evil; it's a socio-economic system that humans designed and implemented. But similar to the paperclip-maximizing AGI, it can, if unchecked, relentlessly prioritize its core objective - profit - at the expense of other essential aspects of life, like the environment, social equity, and mental health.

In its assimilative nature, capitalism also bears an unsettling resemblance to the Borg of Star Trek lore. It commodifies and consumes all it touches, from culture to consciousness, in service of its prime directive. Yet, unlike the Borg, this is a foe of our making.

Billionaires: The Power Brokers

In this system, billionaires sit at the helm, wielding immense influence and power. They write the laws, fund candidates on all sides of the political spectrum, and safeguard their wealth with a safety net of bailouts and tax loopholes. They epitomize the success of the system - humans who have mastered the rules of the game. However, their prosperity comes at a cost, often at the expense of economic equality and social justice.

Critics argue that capitalism incentivizes innovation. But I challenge this notion. It seems capitalism does less innovating and more assimilating. It takes public knowledge, research, and resources and privatizes them for profit. A prime example of this is the pharmaceutical industry, where drugs developed through public research end up patented and sold by private corporations.

The Power of Propaganda

Capitalism's influence extends beyond economic spheres. It seeps into our democratic processes, manipulating them through control of media and societal narratives. It uses propaganda to dictate public discourse subtly and persistently. Edward Bernays, the father of public relations, believed in the necessity of propaganda to manipulate public opinion in a democracy - a principle seemingly embraced wholeheartedly by capitalist entities.

We're living in a reality shaped by the strategic use of information, influencing subconscious processing and emotional responses of the populace. The media, as capitalism's handmaiden, steers public thought towards consumption and profit-driven values.

A Call to Consciousness

The analogy of capitalism to a misaligned AGI is not meant to strip us of hope or paint a dystopian future. Instead, it's a call to action. It's a reminder that we created this system, and we can change, reform, or replace it.

The current manifestation of capitalism, with its rampant inequalities and seemingly insatiable drive for profit, needs to be reassessed. We need a system that respects societal and human needs rather than treating them as expendable resources.

As we fret about future AI turning into paperclip maximizers, let's turn our attention to the real-world misaligned AGI in our midst. We must recalibrate or replace the capitalist machine, ensuring it serves the public interest and safeguards our shared future rather than devouring it.

Citations:

They even want to commodify carbon itself. The basis of all organic chemistry. https://unlimitedhangout.com/2024/05/press/the-jimmy-dore-show-4/