Proposal for a Post-Labor Societal Structure to Mitigate ASI Risks: The 'Game Culture Civilization' (GCC) Model

post by Beyond Singularity (beyond-singularity) · 2025-03-29T11:31:04.894Z · LW · GW · 0 comments

Contents

  1. Introduction: The Coordination Problem and the Search for a Stable Structure in the ASI Era
  2. Critique of the Current Paradigm: Proxy-Metric Maximization and ASI Risks
  3. Proposed Model: The 'Game Culture Civilization' (GCC)
  3.1. Key Mechanisms:
  4. Analysis of Potential GCC Impact on ASI Risks:
  5. Vulnerabilities and Open Questions of the GCC Model:
  6. Invitation for Critique and Discussion:
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Abstract: Accelerating AI development presents existential risks and necessitates examining future human societal structures in the context of mass automation. Current socio-economic systems, particularly capitalism, generate incentives that arguably exacerbate these risks (e.g., development races, coordination failures). This paper proposes a conceptual model, the "Game Culture Civilization" (GCC), as an alternative framework potentially capable of mitigating certain risks while providing meaningful human existence. The model is predicated on Universal Basic Income (UBI), a status/reputation-based economy, and the utilization of "Games" (broadly defined) as the primary mechanism for motivation, skill retention, and managed AI integration. Key GCC mechanisms, their potential impact on ASI risks, and the model's primary vulnerabilities are analyzed.

1. Introduction: The Coordination Problem and the Search for a Stable Structure in the ASI Era

The advent of Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) poses an existential challenge. Beyond the technical alignment problem, there lies the challenge of humanity's own coordination and societal structure for interacting with ASI. Current models predicated on competition and the maximization of local optima (e.g., profit, geopolitical influence) exhibit dynamics that increase systemic risk:

Furthermore, ASI itself might destabilize existing institutions (markets, property rights), leading either to uncontrolled optimization towards alien goals or to economic collapse and societal chaos. It seems necessary to explore alternative social structures that could (a) provide stable and meaningful existence for humans in a post-labor era and (b) reduce the probability of catastrophic outcomes from human-ASI interaction. This text proposes one such model: the GCC.

2. Critique of the Current Paradigm: Proxy-Metric Maximization and ASI Risks

The capitalist system has historically proven effective at driving technological progress and generating material wealth. However, its core mechanism – maximizing profit as a primary proxy metric for utility – creates specific vulnerabilities in the context of ASI. Competitive dynamics focused on short-term gains and market dominance are not inherently optimized for managing existential risks from a technology with potentially unbounded capabilities. There is a need for a system with different foundational incentives, less prone to destructive races and more oriented towards long-term stability and potentially non-material values.

3. Proposed Model: The 'Game Culture Civilization' (GCC)

The GCC is a hypothetical societal framework where basic needs are met via UBI, and the primary drivers shift to the pursuit of status, mastery, and self-realization through participation in "Games" and "Creativity."

3.1. Key Mechanisms:

4. Analysis of Potential GCC Impact on ASI Risks:

5. Vulnerabilities and Open Questions of the GCC Model:

6. Invitation for Critique and Discussion:

This model is presented as a conceptual framework for analysis. Critique is sought, particularly regarding:

Exploring such alternative societal structures seems necessary to expand the portfolio of strategies for navigating the transformative era potentially initiated by advanced AI.

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