The Spectrum of Existential Dependence: from wild animal to household pet
danfaggella · x · 2026-10-12
Dan Faggella argues that if your existence is mediated by another entity, you haven't escaped the state of nature—you've made yourself dependent on a custodian whose willingness and capacity determines your fate. His "Spectrum of Existential Dependence" table ranks states by mediation of selection pressure: wild animals and entrepreneurs face pressures directly; employees face partial mediation via employer perception; children and retirees rely on parents or taxpayer-funded programs; household pets and disabled people sit at total mediation, expected to contribute little or never. A framework often applied to human dependence on AI platforms.
Related event: AI Ethicist Dan Faggella Proposes "Spectrum of Existential Dependence"(2 posts)→
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