From: John Clark (jonkc@worldnet.att.net)
Date: Thu Dec 14 2000 - 10:56:40 MST
Steve Nichols <steve@multisell.com>
> A thermostat is set to switch on or off at a given (preset)
> temperature. It cannot decide to override this setting, so
> does not make this "decision" internally.
A thermostats makes its decision based on its internal state and
the external state of the environment, people do the same thing, both
" readjust their logic in response to the environment" as you say.
>If a thermostat can alter its own settings, then it is infinite-state by definition.
What a silly thing to say, it's infinite-state by definition if it has infinite states.
If a finite state Turing machine can't alter its own settings then you should be able
to predict what it will do, so I'll run one programmed to look at the even numbers greater
than 4 and stop when it finds the first on that is that is not the sum of two primes
(except 1 and 2). It's a simple program needing just a few lines of code, but will it ever stop?
Nobody knows, and it's entirely possible nobody will ever know because its unknowable
even in theory.
> Turing machines are neither conscious,
How do you know?
> Digital computers tends to be finite-state, whereas analog(ous
> to infinite-state) evolvable hardware is more like our brains.
Welcome to the exciting world of analog computing. Thanks to the
new Heath Kit Home Study Course, you can build your very own
analog computer in the privacy of your own home. Make big bucks!
Amaze your friends! Be a hit at parties! This is a true analog computer,
no wimpy pseudo analog stuff here, this baby can handle infinity.
Before we begin construction there are a few helpful hints I'd
like to pass along. Always keep your workplace neat and clean.
Make sure your computer is cold, as it will not operate at any
finite temperature above absolute zero. Use only analog
substances and processes, never use digital things like matter,
spin, or electrical charge when you build your analog computer.
Now that we got those minor points out of the way we can start to
manufacture your analog computer.
Step One: Repeal the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle.
Step Two: Use any infinitely accurate measuring stick you have handy and [...]
[...]
> Turing machines are hard-wired and cannot evince PHASIC
>TRANSIENT behaviour ... correct me if I am wrong?
Ok, you are wrong. A Turing machine is not hard wired, its program
can put it into any internal configuration, and the only behavior
a Turing machine can't produce is pure randomness, that is, produce
an effect without a cause.
>Sense-data (experience) and the conscious sensor/ self
>seem to be different types
How so?
>MVT explains the virtual sensor(gan), the phantom median eye
Seems to me all you've done is conjure up a black box, call it the
phantom median eye and say consciousness comes from there.
Not very helpful.
>I don't want to get bogged down in individual cases because of the
>problem of solipsism.
You're going to have to get bogged down in it because if you have a complete
theory of consciousness you should be able to prove that solipsism is untrue
but you can't and I don't believe such a theory is even possible. Please
understand, I'm not a solipsist but when somebody claims to have solved the
most profound problem in philosophy it's my duty to pretend that I am and see
if they can prove me wrong.
>Do you accept that dreams happen?
I accept that my dreams happen, I don't know about you.
John K Clark
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