Aufhebunga Bunga

On history-ending technology.   [Patreon Exclusive]   The economist Tyler Cowen recently suggested that radical technological change today marks a turning point in history. Is he right, and how would we evaluate such a claim?   Should we be sceptical about these big claims, especially given all the Silicon Valley-driven hype around AI? Or is 'radical agnosticism' the right stance?   And what about calls to rein-in the development of artificial intelligence, especially when these calls come from Silicon Valley itself?   Readings: Existential risk, AI, and the inevitable turn in human history, Tyler Cowen, Marginal Revolution Is this the end of “The End of History”?, Robert Stark The call for an AI halt disguises the real problems with tech, Jason Walsh, Tech Central /306/ AI Capitalism: Inhuman Power (unlocked Bungacast Reading Club episode)