X-Message-Number: 12938
From: Thomas Donaldson <>
Subject: some comments about computers and people
Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 21:59:41 +1100 (EST)

Hi everyone!

As "Chris" says, the computer IBM is making provides an advance over
previous such computers. All that is fine, and even to be expected. It's
part of parallel computers that on sufficiently large problem they can 
work very well and far faster than any single computer.

As for Daniel Crevier's comments, I note that one major point is missing
from his list. Any serious imitation of a human brain is going to have to
be a parallel computer. Otherwise it simply could not do the processing
needed fast enough. Dr Crevier might read up a little on how brains work,
to verify this point for himself. We aren't just producing an abstract
machine, we're trying to produce something capable of functioning at the
same rate (or faster) than a human brain, and even a small acquaintance
with how our brain works suggests that any serious version must be a
parallel machine. (Yes, it might be possible to do so with fewer
processors than our brain has neurons, but we'd still need it to 
be parallel). 

I will also point out that a serious version of a brain must also have
emotions of some kind. Without that, we have at best a highly intelligent
slave... more than a slave, really, because ALL its problems and activity
would ultimately come from our requests.

Naturally I personally don't think that building such a machine would be
very wise at all (though parts of it could prove to be very useful
indeed). And I don't even believe that Dr. Crevier seriously wants to 
make an independent machine with its own desires, even if he comes back
and claims he does.

			Best and long long life to all,

				Thomas Donaldson

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