{"id":47066648,"title":"Project Paperclip. The time has come","points":2,"user":"daly","time":1771449919,"time_ago":"7 hours ago","type":"link","content":"

Long rumored that the world would end due to a goal of "maximizing paperclips"\nit is time to start. Every good world-ending idea needs a plan.

Given an infinite number of paperclips what are the design constraints?

Paperclips designs are the "string theory" of physical construction.

Ideas in 1 dimension

Obviously you could make a single one-dimensional line of paperclips.\nThis raises the question of multiples sizes of paperclips.\nCan we make an ever smaller paperclip progression in an interval?

Ideas in 2 dimensions

One could make a 2-dimensional regular fabric of paperclips.\nThe 2D fabric could be made from regular shapes like hexagons instead.\nHow many ways can a plane be tiled, especially if we vary sizes

Ideas in 3 dimensions

One could make a 3 dimensional solid of paperclips.\nThe 2D hexagons could be extended in 3D forming a "bee hive" effect.\nA 3D paperclip array could have holes and voids forming structures.\nIn 3D the paperclip can vary in size and shape. Bent paperclips arise.

Paperclips don't need to be made of steel. \nSuppose some are non-conductive so we can form circuits.\nA non-uniform paperclips could, for example, be a capacitor.

Are there interesting "vibration modes", like waves in a sea?

Ideas in 4 dimensions (varying in time).

Paperclips can move independently.\nOne could clearly make "paperclip wheels".\nCan we build a timepiece in paperclips?

Tools.

We need to make a solid modeling tool to handle paperclips.\nWe need an MCP server to allow the AI to use the tool.\nWe need a trained AI to "think in paperclips".\nWe need "alignment training" so the results fit our needs.

Further thoughts.

Suppose we go to the moon and find the moon has ideal paperclip material.\nMight it be efficient to construct a single paperclip factory?\nThen everything has a common structure and is easily maintained and repaired.

Contribute!","url":"item?id=47066648","comments":[{"id":47067644,"level":0,"user":"daly","time":1771455872,"time_ago":"6 hours ago","content":"

Oh cool. Thanks for the pointer!","comments":[]},{"id":47066806,"level":0,"user":"bell-cot","time":1771450698,"time_ago":"7 hours ago","content":"

Too easily confused with https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_paperclip - especially when you start talking about going to the moon.","comments":[]}],"comments_count":2}