Some brief thoughts on heroism

In a LessWrong essay, lewis smith argues that the urgency many feel to make a mark before AI overtakes them may be misplaced from a purely consequentialist standpoint. If AI will solve the same problems soon anyway, the extra utility from rushing is small. But he suggests the real driver is a desire for personal heroism — a drive that utilitarianism often overlooks. He questions whether a future where heroism is only artificial, like winning at chess, can truly satisfy that urge.

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