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0 pointslettergram2y ago0 comments

> It really seems beyond dispute

I'd dispute that completely. All innovations humans have created have trended towards zero cost to produce. The cost for many things (such as bioweapons, encryption, etc) has become exponentially cheaper to produce over time.

To tightly control access, one would then need exponentially more control of resources, monitoring & in turn reduction of liberty.

To put it into perspective encryption was once (still might be) considered an "arm", so they attempted to regulate its export.

Try to regulate small arms (AR-15, etc) today and you'll end up getting kits where you can build your own for <$500. If you go after the kits, people will make 3D printed fire arms. Go after the 3D manufacturers and you'll end up with torrents where I can download an arsenal of designs (where we are today). So where are we at now? We're monitoring everyones communication, going through peoples mail, and still it's not stopping anything.

That's how technology works -- progress is inevitable, you cannot regulate information.

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WitCanStain2y ago

This is a strange argument. There is a vast difference between a world where you can buy semi-automatic weapons off a store shelf and one where you have to 3d-print one yourself or get a CNC mill to produce it. The point of regulation is to mitigate damage that comes from unfettered access, no regulation can ever prevent it completely. Of course, the comparison between computer programs and physical weapons is not strong in the first place.

lettergramOP2y ago

> The point of regulation is to mitigate damage that comes from unfettered access, no regulation can ever prevent it completely.

Except it is unfettered access -- anyone can access it for <$500. If someone wants a gun they need only log online & order a kit or order a 3d printer for $500 plus a pipe. What you're really doing is increasing the cost-of-acquisition in terms of time, but not reducing access. Aka gang member has the same level of access as before.

Take current AI software applications, everyone can access some really powerful AI systems. The cost-of-acquisition is dropping dramatically, so it is becoming more prevalent (i.e. LLMs that are pre-trained can be downloaded). That's not going to change, even with max regulation, I can still download the latest model or build it myself. It's not removing access to people, only possibly increasing cost-of-acquisition.

If we're worried about ACCESS you have to remove peoples ability to share information. Which requires massive surveillance, etc.

ryanklee2y ago

There's more to access than carrying out the literal steps to access something. Potentially, this is one of the fundamental reasons partial access control is effective.

ryanklee2y ago

Access control doesn't guarantee the prevention of acquisition, but it's a method of regulation. In combination with other methods, it's an effective way of reshaping norms. This is true both on a level of populations but also of on international behaviors.

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0 pointslettergram2y ago0 comments

> It really seems beyond dispute

To tightly control access, one would then need exponentially more control of resources, monitoring & in turn reduction of liberty.

To put it into perspective encryption was once (still might be) considered an "arm", so they attempted to regulate its export.

That's how technology works -- progress is inevitable, you cannot regulate information.

0 comments

WitCanStain2y ago

lettergramOP2y ago

> The point of regulation is to mitigate damage that comes from unfettered access, no regulation can ever prevent it completely.

If we're worried about ACCESS you have to remove peoples ability to share information. Which requires massive surveillance, etc.

ryanklee2y ago

There's more to access than carrying out the literal steps to access something. Potentially, this is one of the fundamental reasons partial access control is effective.

ryanklee2y ago

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse