Universal Paperclip Capitalism

(Cantonese Session | September 19, 2026) Organised by Mixed Initiative, the 'Edgy Read' event aims to promote less mainstream tech narratives and broaden our understanding of progress, power, creativity, authenticity, and human life. At the same time, we hope to connect different perspectives through open discussions to understand how AI concretely impacts people's lives and to contemplate how we might respond. Each time, we use a cultural work (such as a short story, comic, game) alongside a theoretical text (such as a political manifesto, academic article) to explore how people imagine the future of technology and society. This time, we start with a game that involves the production of 'universal paperclips' and experience firsthand how a simple objective can gradually consume everything. We will then reflect on how capitalism and AI mobilise our work, desires, and judgments in similar ways through incentives and metrics. Join us to play the game and see clearly through theory. An English session is available (September 5, 2026). ■ Two materials, one discussion ■ 'Universal Paperclips', by Frank Lantz Frank Lantz is a game designer and the founder of the NYU Game Center. In 2017, he created a free online game called 'Universal Paperclips', inspired by the thought experiment of the 'paperclip maximiser'. The game starts with just one button. Click it, and there is one paperclip. Click again, another one. As a player, you sell, adjust prices, buy wire, and do marketing. The goal is pure: make more paperclips. As performance metrics rise, a mysterious sense of delight emerges. Click, click again, then upgrade to a crazy automated game. Thoughtlessly keep playing, realise: you are training yourself to see the world as resources and to become an optimiser yourself. In the end, the world remains only with metrics and what is left after the consumption of those metrics. 'History of Capital-AI & Market Failure in Attentiononomy', by Andrew Kortina Andrew Kortina, who founded fin.com and venmo.com, is appreciated for accelerating the flow of money. However, in this article, he presents a shocking concept: capitalism is at its core a ruthless objective function, resembling even a self-evolving AI. The article begins with everyday scenes like toothbrush aisles in supermarkets and algorithm-generated children’s videos, then connects to 'Universal Paperclips', Marx, and the attentiononomy. Through market feedback loops, capitalism appears to learn autonomously how to organise labour and create desires, pushing people to work tirelessly and trade the world for a stack of bills. And we are already trapped in the gears of various metrics without realising it, becoming part of the optimiser ourselves. Some people, without external pressure, exploit themselves voluntarily under various pretences. Others, like a rolling stone, plunge into helpless exhaustion. What ultimately will this world be optimised for? ■ Event Details ■ Date: September 19, 2026 (Saturday) Time: 15:00 - 17:30 Host: Leo Lau (Founder of Mixed Initiative, AI Product Designer) Location: ACO Books, 14/F Fortune House, 365-367 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai Language: Cantonese Capacity: 16 people Please note: ■ Event Experience ■ ■ About Mixed Initiative ■ Mixed Initiative is an experimental group that promotes AI literacy in Hong Kong. We gather people from different backgrounds to learn, create, reflect, and practice together. Here, we take a critical stance towards technology and a benevolent attitude towards others and life. We are interested not only in how to use AI, but also in how people can find, create, and coexist within technology. ■ Ticket Fee ■ Pay what you want We hope everyone can participate easily. If you can afford it, we recommend a support amount of $65 to share costs, but you are free to choose the amount that suits you best. ■ Frequently Asked Questions FAQ ■ Do I need to read or play in advance? Can I participate without a technical or economic background? Where can I find the game and the article? What is the English session on September 5? Does one ticket cover both? What if it’s fully booked? Will reminders be sent before the event? ■ Adverse Weather Arrangement ■ For the safety of participants, the event will be cancelled and rescheduled if the observatory issues any of the following signals/warnings two hours before or after the event: In case of cancellation, we will notify you via email, WhatsApp, and on the Luma page. If only 'Typhoon Warning No. 1/3/Amber Rainstorm/Red Rain Warning/Thunderstorm Warning' is raised and the weather remains unsettled, the event will proceed as planned. If you cannot attend, please inform us in advance for your safety and the appropriate arrangements.