An Open Letter to Steven Pinker on AI

ad8e 21 points 1 comment October 06, 2026
www.astralcodexten.com · View on Hacker News

Discussion Highlights (1 comments)

Exoristos

Bemusing quote from TFA: "I agree that in-person debates are confrontational and bad for truth-seeking. But I didn't propose a debate in order to seek truth. I proposed it because, under California Penal Code § 415(1), it's illegal for me to challenge you to a duel. I think your public writing on this topic has been dishonorable. Out of obligation, I will respond to the meaty arguments that you have set out for me. But what would be viscerally satisfying would be to make you get up on a stage where I read your own words to you in real time and ask 'Really? Really?' after each sentence. Then I could watch you squirm as you try to square your output with your status as one of America's top public intellectuals."

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