X-Message-Number: 30217
From: 
Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2007 23:45:29 -0500
Subject: implications of the Singularity

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I make no apologies for the discussion of the most significant
conceivable possible future threat to human existence.

But first again to R.E., who appears to be having an entirely different
discussion than I.

R.E. says "...in what manner the self development occurs, and what
unchangeable underlying rules, if any, there may be, and other aspects of
the permitted relations between the computer and its environment."

"Permitted relations"???  That isn't self-development.  That is a human
programming a computer to develop things against a permitted base of
"unchangeable underlying rules".   The Singularity is reached when the
computer starts changing the rules and developing its own agenda.  That
is when self-development occurs, in the context I used it.  Perhaps this
will happen, perhaps not.  Despite R.E.'s accusations, I "assume"
nothing.  Unlike many folks it seems, I also do not assume that such a
super-AI, if it comes about, will be "friendly".  (I don't accuse R.E. of
that; he is really not part of that discussion as he has not been
discussing the same thing at all that I have been.)

And the only thing I conclude is that we should approach such future
development with extreme caution and safeguards, stopping short of
entering areas where we cannot determine adequate safeguards.

Is that really too much to ask, to attempt to preserve the future of the
human race?  Not to mention those residing in the dewars.  Is there a
chance that R.E. will be in one of those at such time in the future as
when a super-AI may become in charge of things on our planet?  I should
think he should care, even if there were the slimmest chance of such an
occurrence.

A note to those who actually desire to become inextricably connected
to/assimilated into machines at some time in the future, and wish to take
the rest of us with you against our will:   You should be incarcerated -
find your connection with the steel bars and the concrete walls.

-- 
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