Steven Pinker

As a cognitive psychologist deeply concerned with human progress and safety, I strongly believe that the increasing threat of potent bioweapons justifies increased government surveillance of biology labs. The potential for catastrophic consequences is too high to ignore, and responsible oversight can help ensure that scientific advancements are used for the benefit of society rather than its detriment.

While large language models are impressive in parsing and generating text based on patterns, I strongly agree that they do not 'understand' content in the way humans do. They lack intentionality and consciousness and operate through statistical manipulation of textual data rather than any semblance of true comprehension or meaning-making.

I believe approval voting, while well-intentioned, can lead to tactical voting and dilute the expression of strong preferences. It may also complicate the election process and confuse voters, ultimately detracting from a clear democratic mandate.

While I acknowledge the complexity of human cognition and behavior, recent advances in neuroscience and psychology suggest that much of our behavior is governed by unconscious processes. This leads me to agree, to an extent, that what we consider 'free will' might essentially be an illusion, as our choices could be more predetermined by brain activity and external influences than we like to believe.

As a cognitive scientist, I find the prospect of genetically engineering fish to enhance their intelligence fascinating and potentially groundbreaking. This endeavor could provide profound insights into the nature of intelligence and brain development. Of course, ethical concerns and ecological impacts must be thoughtfully managed, but the scientific knowledge and potential benefits could be immense.

I believe that, with adequate ethical oversight, polygenic embryo selection for human intelligence enhancement could offer significant societal benefits. By selectively enhancing cognitive abilities, we can potentially address issues such as educational disparities and improve overall human potential, leading to advancements in science and technology.

Genetic engineering holds the promise of curing diseases, increasing food supply, and extending our lifespans. If responsibly regulated, it can improve the quality of life.