AI future thought experiment: poor free researchers vs wealthy thought-controlled masses

jessi_cata · x · 2026-11-15

A thought experiment from a discussion with @RokoMijic: in an AI-governed future you pick a class — (a) an 'R&D monk' who is impoverished and barred from using AIs but free to think and research, or (b) genpop who is wealthy with AI access but thought-controlled to prevent them from becoming an AI researcher. The author acknowledges the framing risks strawmanning but exposes a sharp tension in AI governance scenarios.

Related event: Thought Experiment: Poor Free Researchers vs Controlled AI-Using Masses(2 posts)→

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