It’s easy to find sensationalized, low-brow, bad-faith writing about “rationalists” in the AI world. But is there perhaps a more sincere way of scrutinizing the worldview of the people at the heart of this movement: one that is currently shaping public discourse, policy proposals, and alignment research? In this earnest philosophical inquiry, @jane_gatsby explores: why are so many rationalists convinced AI will kill everyone while also participating in practices like “consensual non-consent” orgies? What could possibly explain the overlap? She offers three theories, culminating in: relational wounds. For rationalists, some of whom grew up with highly religious and/or disturbed parents, discomfort in the face of uncertainty fuels a fixation on control. This manifests in everything from elaborate, unconventional, kinky bedroom practices to AI alignment. Repressed desires and fears find increasingly extreme outlets. As Jane puts it: “what is artificial intelligence if not an Other of potentially cosmic significance who is impossible to predict or constrain?” These are just theories. But rationalists’ influence on AI discourse is undeniable, and their worldview, as Jane argues, is “metaphysically nihilistic.” There are other, more productive ways to approach AI development besides treating the models as some evil, adversarial force. Besides: “You cannot successfully align something when your own perspective is crooked.” Full piece threaded 👇