Have you ever thought about what would happen if artificial general intelligence (AGI) or artificial superintelligence (ASI) takes over most human tasks, and there’s no universal basic income (UBI) or radical redistribution to fall back on? It’s a daunting prospect, but one possible solution might be more plausible than it sounds: full dive VR as a means of simulating a fulfilling life.
Imagine a world where you can live out your days in a hyperrealistic virtual environment, complete with neural interfaces and emotionally gratifying artificial companions. It’s a world where you can explore, achieve things, and even fall in love without the limitations of the physical world. The reward systems in place would fill the existential void left by the loss of social roles.
But here’s the catch: our physical bodies would still need the basics – food, water, energy, and healthcare. Without UBI, where would these essentials come from? One possibility is that we’d rely on low-cost, functional food production technologies like microalgae, lab-grown meat, or Soylent-like pastes. The goal wouldn’t be culinary pleasure, but mere survival.
Another possibility is that we’d almost fully disconnect from our physical bodies, living in automated pods that feed us intravenously, regulate our basic functions, and keep us alive while our consciousness remains fully immersed in the simulation. It’s a world that’s both fascinating and unsettling, like something out of The Matrix or Ready Player One.
The question is, would we choose this path, or would it be imposed upon us? And what would be the implications of such a reality? It’s a thought-provoking concept that’s worth exploring, especially as we hurtle towards a future where AGI and ASI are becoming increasingly possible.