X-Message-Number: 31375
From: "Kennita (Go Cryo!)" <>
Subject: Re: Hogwarts for Singularitarians?
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2009 03:11:36 -0800
References: <>

FD wrote:

> If that "University" does indeed focus anywhere on the technological
> Singularity, I hope they are bright enough to understand the dangers  
> such an
> event presents.  And that they would offer cautionary advice on  
> keeping
> their advanced computers under control, for there is indeed no logical
> reason that an AI superior to humans would be friendly to us, or  
> even think
> we are relevant and there is a need for our continued existence.  Put
> yourself in their place -- would you?


Keep Singularity-level AIs under control?
I scoff at your "cautionary advice", and so,
I imagine, would they.  But what do I know?
The whole point about Singularity is that we
have no idea what is on the other side.  There
is *no* *way* to put ourselves in their place.
You have no idea what the logic of beings
immeasurably smarter than you would look like.
One might imagine, however, that there will be
many superhuman AIs rather than one, and that
they will have many different attitudes towards
humans, including none.  If they find us not to
be relevant, they might ignore us rather than
wiping us out.  The universe is REALLY BIG (!!)
and there's plenty of room in it for one bitsy
DNA-infested planet.  Some of them might even
decide to keep us around just in case they find
a use for us someday -- who would have thought
we'd find a use for blue bread mold?  I'm going
to stop speculating now, because it is a waste
of time.  Did I say *no* *way*, and REALLY
BIG (!!) ???  I mean *R* *E* *A* *L* *L* *Y*
*B* *I* *G* !!!!!  And I will go so far as to
guess that any AI worth its NaCl would realize
that even an infinite number of them couldn't
fill it up.  Hey, maybe if we make their prime
directive exploration rather than acquisition,
our problem would be solved, because we'd
never see them again.  Oops, there I go
speculating again.  It's endless, really.
Full stop.

Live long and prosper,
Kennita

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