Midnight In The Desert

[Dr. MD MD]

We're just discoursing, I'm still at peace with Sandra. I have to be. When your child is a minion of Cthulhu that can eat you at any moment, the equations change.

What does Cupcake think of all this?! 

[albrecht]

I've always found the concept to be despotic and undemocratic. It's like having a house of lords in the party along with a house of commons.

We disagree on some things and agree on other but here I'm disagreeing. I know it is contrary to public opinion but there are reasons why we have a Republic and other countries have things like House of Lords etc because 'democracy' in a pure form is chaotic and instable and risks ceasing to be even that after a few elections. Sure certain system can work (the Swiss Canton system) but, like many systems, even 'socialist' ones, in a homogeneous, relatively rich or low population area can work. But, in a large, diverse country, having some kind of pure democratic system would result in chaos. The beauty of our system is, gridlock, and, usually until recently, slower 'change.' We could be like those countries with many parties but then you often get governments changing all the time or, like Belguim, sometimes not even having one for years. For good or bad our system is, compared to others, pretty good. I like gridlock. Especially considering how much more we are getting away from the original system and everything must be regulated and legislated on a Federal level.

[norland2424]

Is there really a conspiracy theory that Kaufman didn't really die? I've heard it said before as a joke that his death was really his last, greatest prank, like it was something he would've done if he hadn't actually died. If you have links to vids or anything drop 'em on me.

Anyone thats died someone will say that they faked it, tupac, Hitler etc

[SciFiAuthor]

Except they didn't actually matter this time like they did in 08 so you're 8 years too late in your raging.

I'm not a democrat so I normally don't care what they do. This time, they've set themselves up, and the rest of the country with it, so I'm a bit prickly about it. I'd take Bernie over an impeachment any day. At least he could be trusted with a security clearance.

[SciFiAuthor]

What does Cupcake think of all this?! 

"Well, other women have trouble sleeping too. You can help them out."

[SciFiAuthor]

We disagree on some things and agree on other but here I'm disagreeing. I know it is contrary to public opinion but there are reasons why we have a Republic and other countries have things like House of Lords etc because 'democracy' in a pure form is chaotic and instable and risks ceasing to be even that after a few elections. Sure certain system can work (the Swiss Canton system) but, like many systems, even 'socialist' ones, in a homogeneous, relatively rich or low population area can work. But, in a large, diverse country, having some kind of pure democratic system would result in chaos. The beauty of our system is, gridlock, and, usually until recently, slower 'change.' We could be like those countries with many parties but then you often get governments changing all the time or, like Belguim, sometimes not even having one for years. For good or bad our system is, compared to others, pretty good. I like gridlock. Especially considering how much more we are getting away from the original system and everything must be regulated and legislated on a Federal level.

Given that I think it's highly likely that the human race is going to merge with its technology over the next five decades and become post-human, I consider old human ideas such as hereditary peerages obsolete. While I do love me some gridlock, we're out of time for it. We're going to have to completely restructure the world economy and our social systems and technological progress will not wait while we sit in gridlock. That is inherently dangerous and leads to things like unintended emergences of superintelligence or malevolent A.I.. We have about ten years or less before we will have no choice but to begin regulating technological progress and prepare for an economy where automation permanently outstrips job creation. We can't screw this time period in history up.

[Donald Noory]

And yeah, if I were on the radio, I wouldn't want to listen to myself either...

[albrecht]

Given that I think it's highly likely that the human race is going to merge with its technology over the next five decades and become post-human, I consider old human ideas such as hereditary peerages obsolete. While I do love me some gridlock, we're out of time for it. We're going to have to completely restructure the world economy and our social systems and technological progress will not wait while we sit in gridlock. That is inherently dangerous and leads to things like unintended emergences of superintelligence or malevolent A.I.. We have about ten years or less before we will have no choice but to begin regulating technological progress and prepare for an economy where automation permanently outstrips job creation. We can't screw this time period in history up.

We've argued this before and I enjoy it. You could be totally correct. I just hope there is a place for some of us "savages" who want to opt-out. Maybe on reservations etc. On the same subject I think our (British and American) system of common law, versus statute law and regulation, can adapt much quicker to these changes and potential problems. But, it would seem, that we are going to other direction with top-down, legalistic direction.

[Donald Noory]

Is this a repeat? Gene Wilder died a few days ago.

[akwilly]

Wtf? Repeat

[MTB]

Yup, the British UFO guest has already disappeared from the site.

[Norm]

Time travel! We are visiting a past episode! Amazing!  Wow!

[SciFiAuthor]

We've argued this before and I enjoy it. You could be totally correct. I just hope there is a place for some of us "savages" who want to opt-out. Maybe on reservations etc. On the same subject I think our (British and American) system of common law, versus statute law and regulation, can adapt much quicker to these changes and potential problems. But, it would seem, that we are going to other direction with top-down, legalistic direction.

I suspect that augmentation would be voluntary, so I'm sure we'll set up some kind of reservation or zoo

I would agree that the legal system won't be the problem. The problem will be in the legislative arena. They'll need to be able to act quickly, and they can't right now.

[Donald Noory]

Heather must have had a breakdown when she looked at the electoral map and saw that Trump can't win. Replay tonight.

[Norm]

I'm going to go listen to Clyde, FTS

[Lilith]

I'm going to go listen to Clyde, FTS

Me Too.

[norland2424]

Heather must have had a breakdown when she looked at the electoral map and saw that Trump can't win. Replay tonight.

Lol

[bigcasino]

If Heather and Keith had intended to re-run an old show and shown that on the web site it would be okay.  But to make the change after advertising a live show and not a) make an announcement at the top of the show, and/or b) put an explanation on the web site is unprofessional.   Subscribers - the people who make the show financially possible - deserve better.

My $0.02. 

[albrecht]

I suspect that augmentation would be voluntary, so I'm sure we'll set up some kind of reservation or zoo

I would agree that the legal system won't be the problem. The problem will be in the legislative arena. They'll need to be able to act quickly, and they can't right now.

This Brave New World would necessarily entail some kind of global (or even more?) government for the speed and due to scope. Sort of like the Technocrat Party  dreamed about decades ago or the ersatz style happening in some countries on economics that default on loans. Hardly democratic or even representative (but there are arguments through out history that this is ok, of course.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technocracy_movement

[Donald Noory]

Heather too busy to do the show, she's replying to all her new African fans on Facebook.

[albrecht]

Heather too busy to do the show, she's replying to all her new African fans on Facebook.

Hey, the widow African Princess has given her the lock-box of the funds seized and she is now a millionaire and said 'screw you' Art and MITD subscribers.

[SciFiAuthor]

This Brave New World would necessarily entail some kind of global (or even more?) government for the speed and due to scope. Sort of like the Technocrat Party  dreamed about decades ago or the ersatz style happening in some countries on economics that default on loans. Hardly democratic or even representative (but there are arguments through out history that this is ok, of course.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technocracy_movement

Possibly a technocracy or eventually a superintelligent emperor computer. Enjoy:)

http://www.nickbostrom.com/fut/singleton.html

[Humilia Lepus Foramen]

This Brave New World would necessarily entail some kind of global (or even more?) government for the speed and due to scope. Sort of like the Technocrat Party  dreamed about decades ago or the ersatz style happening in some countries on economics that default on loans. Hardly democratic or even representative (but there are arguments through out history that this is ok, of course.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technocracy_movement

I remember Kaku speaking about this several times, but sometimes forget the details. Didn't he say that the chances of us developing into a type 1 civilization were not great, and that while we already have some features of a type 1 civilization, such as the Internet, we would also need something like a world government before making the transition?

There are so many reasons why world government has the potential to be a dystopia.

[Richard Groyper]

I remember Kaku speaking about this several times, but sometimes forget the details. Didn't he say that the chances of us developing into a type 1 civilization were not great, and that while we already have some features of a type 1 civilization, such as the Internet, we would also need something like a world government before making the transition?

There are so many reasons why world government has the potential to be a dystopia.

Haven't heard from Cuku in a long time. Is he still alive?

[michio]

If Heather and Keith had intended to re-run an old show and shown that on the web site it would be okay.  But to make the change after advertising a live show and not a) make an announcement at the top of the show, and/or b) put an explanation on the web site is unprofessional.   Subscribers - the people who make the show financially possible - deserve better.

My $0.02.

There may have been an unforeseen incident at the Pahrunp compound. Was there at least a tweet to notify the people who support 'The Heather Wade Show?'

[albrecht]

Possibly a technocracy or eventually a superintelligent emperor computer. Enjoy:)

http://www.nickbostrom.com/fut/singleton.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KnPBg-tanE

[Roswells, Art]

Both sides are blind, America has no future with either Trump or Hillary.

I agree.

[norland2424]

I agree.

See good Heather gets it.

[TigerLily]

Hey Roz. Haven't seen you in awhile. How are you?

[Humilia Lepus Foramen]

Haven't heard from Cuku in a long time. Is he still alive?

Yeah, I'm sure he is, kinda lost interest after Art had him on for the hundredth time, though his discussion of the Kardashev scale stayed with me.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kardashev_scale