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Comment by 9d | Hacker News Reader

Full link and relevant quote:

https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/docu...

> Moreover, AI may prove even more seductive than traditional idols for, unlike idols that “have mouths but do not speak; eyes, but do not see; ears, but do not hear” (Ps. 115:5-6), AI can “speak,” or at least gives the illusion of doing so (cf. Rev. 13:15).

It quotes Rev. 13:15 which says (RSVCE):

> and it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast so that the image of the beast should even speak, and to cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.

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That was a very interesting read, thanks for linking it!

I think the unfortunate reality of human innovation is that too many people consider that technological progress is always good for progresses sake. Too many people create new tools, tech, etc. without really stopping to take a moment and think or have a discussion on what the absolute worst case applications of their creation will be and how difficult it'd be to curtail that kind of behavior. Instead any potential (before creation) and actual (when it's released) human suffering is hand waved away as growing pains necessary for science to progress. Like those websites that search for people's online profiles based on image inputs sold by their creators as being used to find long lost friends or relatives when everyone really knows it's going to be swamped by people using it to doxx or stalk their victims, or AI photo generation models for "personal use" being used to deep fake nudes to embarrass and put down others. In many such cases the creators sleep easy at night with the justification that it's not THEIR fault people are misusing their platforms, they provided a neutral tool and are absolved of all responsibility. All the while they are making money or raking in clout fed by the real pain of real people.

If everyone took the time to weigh the impact of what they're doing even half as diligently as that above article (doesn't even have to be from a religious perspective) the world would be a lot brighter for it.

> Too many people create new tools, tech, etc. without really stopping to take a moment and think or have a discussion on what the absolute worst case applications of their creation will be

"Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." -Jeffrey L. Goldblum when ILM showed him an early screening of Jurassic Park.

> In many such cases the creators sleep easy at night with the justification that it's not THEIR fault people are misusing their platforms, they provided a neutral tool and are absolved of all responsibility.

The age old question of gun control.

Guns (and really most forms of progress in warfare and violence) undoubtedly fall under a similar conundrum.

Funny to note that at least one inventor who contributed greatly to modern warfare (the creator of the gatling gun) did seem to reflect on his future impact but figured it'd go in the opposite direction- that a weapon that could replace a hundred soldiers with one would make wars smaller and less devastating, not more!

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