forecast
Plasticity Removes Reasons for Self-Improvement
At technological maturity humans gain 'plasticity'—the ability to reshape body, brain, and psychology at will via tailored drugs, direct brain manipulation, or uploading—which removes even the remaining reasons for effortful activity, since skills like mathematics or states like fitness or pleasure could be installed directly without the preceding effort.
forecastpending
Speaker
Nicholas BostromEvidence Quote
“if the only reason for spending hours poring over the mathematics textbook... is so that your brain someplace down the road is in a position where it understands algebra and calculus... there would be a shortcut, again, like some direct brain manipulation that would rewire your brain into a condition where it has these skills and concepts without the preceding effort”
Created: 6/13/2026, 12:04:44 AM
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