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He created Oculus headsets as a teenager, now he makes AI weapons for Ukraine

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Re: He created Oculus headsets as a teenager, now he makes AI weapons for Ukraine

#21

AI weapons seems like a bad bad idea.

In theory, I can see that point, in practice, unfortunately, it seems like a good idea.

We're witnessing Russia, a massive country with nuclear deterrence, trying to annex a smaller peaceful country that hasn't provoked any neighbor since it existed - Ukraine. Russia has used genocide in the past, and is now using it again to try to wipe yet another country and culture from the face of the earth.

The vast majority of Russians don't care, and many support this war with a "brotherly nation" (imagine). Others see going to Ukraine to kill Ukrainians as a way to make a better living, for them and their families - they don't see the shortcomings of Putin that led to their misery, but they see the value in making more money killing Ukrainians - go figure!

And Putin made such a strategic blunder, that his existence is now tied to this war - even if that means killing millions of Russians and Ukrainians.

So, what can Ukraine do, or other countries close to Russia or close to China, who are looking to expand borders?

They can no longer rely on US for help because of their own internal division and the resignation from being the "leaders of the free world".

To me, the most obvious answer is:

- GET NUKES - The problem with this is that many countries who have nukes don't want more nukes spread around, because sht can get out of hand and nukes might be deployed - this argument no longer makes much sense given what Russia is doing, they're literally using nuclear deterrence to expand borders. But nukes are expensive.

- AI WEAPONS - Russia is protected from external intervention under the nuclear umbrella, and they have bodies to throw. They're sustaining a lot of casualties, and Russians seem to be motivated to continue to kill Ukrainians for small personal gain, so something must be done in this regard. The accuracy of western weapons seems to have been playing in favor of Ukraine, but clearly it's not enough. So you will need something to balance off high numbers of motivated soldiers in comparison to those defending - here AI seems to be the solution.

- AI WEAPONS + NUKES - this seems to be the safest solution of them all.

Reality check: Russia, Iran, North Korea, and China are developing AI weapons. They're already deploying them for information warfare, so you can only assume they will deploy them as weapons as soon as they can.

Sadly, that's the world we live in, so we have to adjust to the times. I don't think its a matter of "should we", but more "how can we make them in greater numbers and cheaper".

Re: He created Oculus headsets as a teenager, now he makes AI weapons for Ukraine

#23
post #2

[flagged]

> He is also a raging racist This is not at all true. And I'll add that what the man is doing with Anduril -- single-handedly working to modernize defense development and procurement -- is downright heroic. And long overdue, to say the very least. > Anduril tech is used for mass surveillance on US borders It's a tool, and almost certainly a more humane tool than the alternatives.

"Heroic" hahahaha

Re: He created Oculus headsets as a teenager, now he makes AI weapons for Ukraine

#24
This guy is great. Companies like Anduril are what we need to protect America in the next war. Defense procurement has eaten us alive and made a relatively ineffective fighting force. We need to be capable of creating liberty ships again. And the UAV and USV tech that Anduril pioneers will hopefully lead to a bunch of copycat companies that push low cost weaponry.

High production wins wars. We did it last time. We just have to get it back into action again.

The Thiel collective has reached VP and Pres candidates. If they make it to the White House, this particular pathway is going to open. American hegemony can be preserved and the World can be at peace.

Re: He created Oculus headsets as a teenager, now he makes AI weapons for Ukraine

#26
"I’ve heard various estimates from the Ukrainians themselves that any given drone typically has a life span of about four weeks."

Maybe if referring to the Mavic scouts or bombers... Because the FPVs and Cessna-based drones have a lifetime based on mission duration. They have an outsized impact, however. I also must say that expensive gear from Anduuril is a drop in the bucket compared to homegrown sea and air drone assets. It has become a diy drone war through and through. Nothing like 2022.

Re: He created Oculus headsets as a teenager, now he makes AI weapons for Ukraine

#28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Putting aside all the ai-recommends-you-eat-a-few-rocks-a-day evidence... Letting machines incapable of empathy, bereft of accountability for themselves or their creators, make decisions to end one or more lives, is a monstrous idea on its face. Additionally, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_boomerang

Where does it say the AI weapons make decisions?

The above comment thread is:

> AI weapons seems like a bad bad idea.

>> Why?

---

And let's not be naïve; this is the military we're talking about. It'll happen whether it's Luckey or someone else.

Re: He created Oculus headsets as a teenager, now he makes AI weapons for Ukraine

#29
(American here) I don't know anything about Palmer Luckey or Anduril, but I do believe in a strong national defense.

As an individual, I can do approximately zero to stop weapons from being used for offense, rather than defense. That is wildly unfortunate and tragic, but (false dichotomy incoming) I would choose that path for my country 100% of the time over being under-armed.

"The strong do what they will while the weak suffer what they must." I can't recommend being weak so instead I will vote for being strong.

All that to say: I am supportive and thankful that someone out there is actually innovating/delivering in this space and not just an MIC-parasite.

Re: He created Oculus headsets as a teenager, now he makes AI weapons for Ukraine

#30
post #8
post #2

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Quick search, seems he donated to an anti-Hillary political group in 2016. That appears to be what attracts the accusation of racism. Link to a quote or video of what he has done/said if you have further to add to the above.

Here's Palmer Luckey posting about "cuckoldry" on r/The_Donald, a subreddit which was banned for hate speech https://archive.is/4OuYq
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