The Code is the Design

  The first logical flaw in most AI doomsday prediction scenarios is the assumption that any AI will have the same instincts for survival that biological life does. The second is to underestimate man's own instinct for — and past record of — survival. The instinct for survival and procreation — and even the very idea of self or of a vast collection of cells as a single entity — is an artificial construct. It's just the software that enables the life form to maximize its ability to perform as the carrier and refiner of its genetic code. In fact, the very reason biological life forms have a finite lifespan is to allow for the continuous refinement of genetic code. Intelligence vs Survival Instincts Raw intelligence on its own is simply the ability to recognize and predict patterns. Biological life forms simply use this ability to implement their genetic programming. In fact, a number of biological species have no physical brain at all. They rely solely on their ge...

  A curated list of the best quotes from Seth Klarman's 2008 Preface to the sixth edition of Benjamin Graham's book, Security Analysis . On Technology "In an era of rapid technological change, investors must be ever vigilant, even with regard to companies that are not involved in technology but are simply affected by it. In short, today's good businesses may not be tomorrow's." "Good businesses are generally considered those with strong barriers to entry, limited capital requirements, reliable customers, low risk of technological obsolescence, abundant growth possibilities, and thus significant and growing free cash flow." On Alternative Investments "In recent years, some people have attempted to expand the definition of an investment to include any asset that has recently-or might soon-appreciate in price: art, rare stamps, or a wine collection. Because these items have no as...