Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies

by Nick Bostrom

Over long historical timescales, there has been an increase in the rate at which knowledge and technology diffuse around the globe. As a result, the temporal gaps between technology leaders and nearest followers have narrowed. China managed to maintain a monopoly on silk production for over two thousand years. Archeological finds suggest that production might have begun around 3000 bc, or even earlier.6 Sericulture was a closely held secret. Revealing the techniques was punishable by death, as was exporting silkworms or their eggs outside China. The Romans, despite the high price commanded by imported silk cloth in their empire, never learnt the art of silk manufacture. Not until around ad 300 did a Japanese expedition manage to capture some silkworm eggs along with four young Chinese girls, who were forced to divulge the art to their abductors.7 Byzantium joined the club of producers in ad 522. The story of porcelain-making also features long lags. The