ABSTRACT
What these examples of counterfeit utility production have in common is the absence of productive behavior to obtain the reward. Participating individuals go directly for the reward and fail to benefit society. In most cases, they actually cause significant harm via their actions. Consequently, wireheading is objected to on the grounds of economic scarcity. If, however, intelligent machines can supply essentially unlimited economic wealth, humans who choose to live in wireheaded orgasmium-in a permanent state of bliss — will no longer be a drain on society and so would not be viewed as negatively.
