Debunking the Permanent Underclass: Humans Still Define the Goals in the AI Era

devanshmehta · x · 2026-08-24

The author argues against the "permanent underclass" theory, which claims AI will freeze class mobility by solving all problems.

Historical Mean Reversion: Citing Robin Hanson, the author notes that high mobility is historically an anomaly; inherited status was the norm.
Ends vs. Means: While AI excels at executing means (like a CEO maximizing share price), deciding which ends are worth pursuing (like a leader choosing between growth or equality) remains a human domain. This preserves opportunities for wealth and status through vision and value definition.
Negative Impact: The theory fuels a "get rich quick" mentality driven by fear of a ticking clock. The author advises against letting this anxiety dictate one's pace.

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