INFOHAZARDS: Things No One Should Know

Summary

The video script explores the concept of 'info hazards,' or information that can cause harm if disseminated. From seemingly harmless spoilers to the existential threat of dangerous knowledge like nuclear bomb instructions or bioengineered pandemics, the script raises critical questions about the responsibility tied to sharing information. It discusses how technological advancements make harmful data more accessible and the risks of information being weaponized, highlighting how society might not be prepared for the future dangers posed by such knowledge. It emphasizes the need to reconsider the assumption that more information is always better.

Takeaways

• 😀 Information is abundant in the modern age, giving people unprecedented access to knowledge, but not all of it is beneficial or safe.
• 😀 Info hazards are true pieces of information that can cause harm or enable harmful actions, as defined by philosopher Nick Bostrom.
• 😀 Spoilers, for example, are info hazards because they can cause psychological harm by ruining someone's experience.
• 😀 Attention hazards, like the popularity of *Finding Nemo*, can have unintended consequences, such as overfishing and depopulation of clownfish.
• 😀 The internet's clickbait culture represents a distraction and temptation hazard, leading to wasted time and misleading information.
• 😀 Social media can be a biasing info hazard because its algorithms prioritize irrelevant or false information, overshadowing valuable insights.
• 😀 People who know too much can become targets of info hazards, as seen in school bullying of those who excel academically.
• 😀 Society's belief in free will is based on the assumption that people are responsible for their actions, but revealing neurophysiological evidence that free will doesn't exist could be an info hazard with significant societal consequences.
• 😀 A worst-case info hazard scenario would be the release of step-by-step instructions for making a nuclear bomb or a deadly pandemic, posing a grave existential threat.
• 😀 With advances in biotechnology and computing, the ability to synthesize dangerous biological agents or devastating technologies could be democratized, increasing the risks of catastrophic events triggered by bad actors.

Q & A

What is an info hazard?

An info hazard is the dissemination or potential dissemination of true information that can cause harm or enable harm. It refers to knowledge that could lead to dangerous consequences if shared.

Can you provide an example of a psychological info hazard?

Yes, spoilers are an example of a psychological info hazard. While spoilers are true information, they can cause psychological harm by ruining the experience for someone who wants to enjoy something without prior knowledge.

What is an attention hazard, and how does it relate to Finding Nemo?

An attention hazard occurs when attention is drawn to something in a way that causes harm. In the case of Finding Nemo, the movie's popularity led to a spike in demand for clownfish, which contributed to overfishing and harm to the species.

What is the Streisand effect, and how does it relate to info hazards?

The Streisand effect happens when an attempt to hide or censor information only draws more attention to it. In 2003, Barbara Streisand's attempt to remove a photo of her house from the internet led to its wider circulation, demonstrating how trying to suppress information can backfire.

How do clickbait articles serve as info hazards?

Clickbait articles are a form of distraction and temptation hazard. They mislead readers by promising important information that is never delivered, wasting time and making trivial topics seem more important than they are.

Why is social media considered a distraction info hazard?

Social media is a distraction info hazard because it captures our attention with non-essential content, often promoting trivial information or misleading narratives. Its algorithms prioritize engagement over the value of the information, causing users to waste valuable cognitive resources.

What would be the consequence of revealing that free will does not exist?

Revealing that free will does not exist could create a grand unveiling hazard, causing societal confusion and destabilization. If people stopped believing in free will, it could challenge fundamental institutions like the justice system, leading to unpredictable societal effects.

What is a worst-case scenario involving an info hazard related to nuclear bombs?

A worst-case scenario could be the release of step-by-step instructions for building a nuclear bomb. If this information were widely disseminated, it could enable individuals to create catastrophic weapons, significantly increasing the risk of a global crisis.

What does the speaker mean by a data hazard?

A data hazard refers to a type of info hazard where harmful information, like the complete genome of a deadly virus, becomes easily accessible. This could allow individuals with malicious intent to create dangerous biological threats using freely available data.

How has technological advancement increased the risks of info hazards?

Technological advancement has made it easier to access, manipulate, and spread harmful information. For example, advances in computing and biotechnology could enable individuals to create dangerous biological agents or nuclear bombs from readily available instructions, which could lead to catastrophic outcomes.