Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to I think Occum's Razor...

re: I think Occum's Razor...
Marcia — (archived)

"All other things being equal, the simplest solution is the best." In other words, when multiple competing theories are equal in other respects, the principle recommends selecting the theory that introduces the fewest assumptions and postulates the fewest entities. It is in this sense that Occam's razor is usually understood. Holy cow and I'm talking to you, Alcaray, my friend but to Phil's post" and I'm just quoting: "Bear that history in mind as you consider the creed of the singularitarians. Many of them fervently believe that in the next several decades we’ll have computers into which you’ll be able to upload your consciousness—the mysterious thing that makes you you. Then, with your consciousness able to go from mechanical body to mechanical body, or virtual paradise to virtual paradise, you’ll never need to face death, illness, bad food, or poor cellphone reception. Now you know why the singularity has also been called the rapture of the geeks. The singularity is supposed to begin shortly after engineers build the first computer with greater-than-human intelligence. That achievement will trigger a series of cycles in which superintelligent machines beget even smarter machine progeny, going from generation to generation in weeks or days rather than decades or years. The availability of all that cheap, mass-­produced brilliance will spark explosive economic growth, an unending, hypersonic, tech­no­industrial rampage that by comparison will make the Industrial Revolution look like a bingo game. At that point, we will have been sucked well beyond the event horizon of the singularity. It might be nice there, on the other side—by definition, you can’t know for sure. Sci-fi writers, though, have served up lots of scenarios in which humankind becomes the prey, rather than the privileged beneficiaries, of synthetic savants. --------- I'm sorry, but even if I was stricken with the worst decease on Earth will I put my heart and soul onto any computer. I'm sorry, I'm a geek and an astronomy lover but never to that extent. To do that would be to loose my soul and my humanity. Unless, I would be traveling to the nearest Earth harboring star.... and yet.... if I can't save my soul and humanity along the way, it will not be worth it. Sorry, no present emperor is wearing anything so far.

Log in or register to post.

The whole thread (29 posts)