From: Bill Kelly <billk@...>
Date: 2009-04-13T11:11:54+09:00
Subject: Re: Goodbye Ruby - Hello Earth


From: "Chad Perrin" <perrin@apotheon.com>
>
> >
> > > I'm trying to imagine sitting down to interact with an operating
> > > system that's 1000 times smarter than me.
> > 
> > Nor would it necessarily be smarter than us in the beginning...
> 
> . . . nor would it necessarily *ever* be "smarter" than us.  It
> shouldn't be long now before it's a more efficient processor, though.

Certainly there are many possibilities.  I've enjoyed a few
books on the subject (Ray Kurzweil, Hans Moravec, Max Velmans,
others...)

Myself, I find it interesting that apparently relatively tiny
differences in our genetic code can result in the construction
of a brain like that of Einstein or Feynman; or on the flipside,
pick a random Miss USA contestant... ;)

So it seems we have an existence proof that small changes in
'programming' can result in significant differences in
intelligence...

With that in mind, let's assume for the moment: (A) there's no
supernatural component required in the functioning of our
brains; (B) it is possible to be self-aware without
experiencing qualia; (C) computing power--CPU and RAM--continues
to increase well beyond the point of equivalency with the
processing power of our biological brain.

Of these assumptions, I would not be surprised if (C) held true.
As for (A), I'd like to think there are no truly supernatural
processes involved, but I wouldn't be surprised if there are
some as-yet-unknown natural processes happening.  As for (B), 
that is completely opaque to me.  Qualia seems important, and
I have no idea how a computer would ever 'feel' things.  On the
other hand, if we ever understand how _we_ feel things and the
precise mechanisms involved for translating from sensory ->
conscious experiences, then I suppose we'll have a lot better
idea of whether it can be done in silicon.

In any case, if all three assumptions did hold, then I would
expect us to eventually arrive at self-aware programs that
were smarter than us.  (And which could improve their own
design.)


Regards,

Bill