Don't normalize a permanent underclass (even a rich one)

On LessWrong this week, a philosophical challenge to a major AGI futures document. The scenario: cosmic resources allocated by pre-AGI wealth create a permanent underclass—rich by today's standards, but with vastly unequal lifespans. The author's concern isn't luxury. In the long run, resources determine how long you exist. One galaxy versus a thousand means living roughly a thousand times longer. That's not comfort inequality; it's existence inequality. Historically, even wealthy countries see people die from preventable scarcity-linked causes. Expect the same in space. Worse: if people believe this future is locked in, they'll abandon safety cooperation right now to accumulate resources before AGI—exactly what we don't want. But it's not inevitable. Policy choices like inalienable shares could prevent it. The risk: once this idea spreads to policymakers, the qualifier—'but everyone's rich'—drops, leaving only 'permanent underclass is acceptable.'

Listen to this story

Hear this and more stories in a personalized audio briefing.

Open The Chonkerton