Explanation

Andrew Critch, March 2023:

By boundaries, I just mean the approximate causal separation of regions in some kind of physical space (e.g., spacetime) or abstract space (e.g., cyberspace).  Here are some examples from my «Boundaries» Sequence:

• a cell membrane (separates the inside of a cell from the outside);
• a person's skin (separates the inside of their body from the outside);
• a fence around a family's yard (separates the family's place of living-together from neighbors and others);
• a digital firewall around a local area network (separates the LAN and its users from the rest of the internet);
• a sustained disassociation of social groups (separates the two groups from each other)
• a national border (separates a state from neighboring states or international waters).

Applications

• One application of boundaries to formalize the concept of safety.
• https://formalizingboundaries.ai/ 

Compilation

«Boundaries»/membranes and AI safety compilation.

Beware a common misunderstanding

When I say boundary, I don't just mean an arbitrary constraint or social norm. («Boundaries» Pt. 1)

It is for this reason that I (@Chipmonk) often use the term "membranes" instead of "boundaries". It aids understanding.

Credits

Tag created and maintained by Chipmonk, membranes/«boundaries» enthusiast. 2023 April.