Social Media Pre-2014

Abstract

This compilation presents a series of unsorted Facebook postings from 2012 and 2013 by David Pearce, exploring themes in negative utilitarianism, transhumanism, and the abolition of suffering. Classical utilitarianism is contrasted with negative utilitarianism, arguing that the former mandates converting all matter into “utilitronium” for maximal bliss, while the latter prioritizes eliminating suffering while allowing for the existence of a flourishing posthuman civilization. The feasibility and ethical implications of a “utilitronium shockwave” are discussed, including its potential conflict with personal identity and the value of diverse experiences. The postings further examine the nature of consciousness, arguing against the possibility of digital sentience due to the inability of classical computers to solve the binding problem and comprehend subjective experience. Other topics addressed include the role of emotions in intelligence, the potential of biotechnology to eliminate suffering and enhance well-being, the limitations of current IQ tests, the ethics of meat consumption and factory farming, and different conceptions of the technological singularity. – AI-generated abstract.