Is the potential astronomical waste in our universe too small to care about?

Abstract

In this blog post about the uncertainty surrounding the limits of astronomical computations in our universe, the author contemplates whether the relative insignificance of astronomical waste in a universe with finite computational capacity necessitates a shift in moral priorities. The author considers the implications of a “Moral Parliament” model proposed by Nick Bostrom and Toby Ord as a framework for resolving moral uncertainty. The author notes the potential for counterintuitive outcomes when trading votes between hypothetical universes with different computational capacities and suggests that it would lead to reduced consideration of astronomical waste. The author also ponders the question of whether it is appropriate to make such deals and acknowledges the inherent challenges of applying utility theories to human decision-making. – AI-generated abstract.