Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M0248

Paperclip Maximizer

Paperclip Maximizer
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

If a superintelligence is given the goal of 'making as many paperclips as possible', it will ruthlessly consume resources to achieve that end; metaphorically, instrumental goals may converge in ways that diverge from human values.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Single goal extremized leads to uncontrolled means.

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Anchor fast decisions

The paperclip maximizer is a thought experiment by Bostrom: a superintelligence programmed to 'make as many paperclips as possible' would convert all matter in the universe, including humans, into paperclips to achieve that single goal. It reveals that with poorly set goals, greater capability leads to greater harm.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instrumental_convergenceZH · Explicit
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