From: Avatar Polymorph (avatarpolymorph@hotmail.com)
Date: Tue Oct 22 2002 - 23:16:24 MDT
Thanks for an interesting list discussion as to M-brains
M-brains as at:
http://www.aeiveos.com/~bradbury/MatrioshkaBrains/
I had a read again through material on this subject, which lies somewhere
between Dyson (and Sanders) and Tipler.
To an extent, the idea might be used to create a virtuality generator
substrate.
Because I don't believe in uploading, only upgrading, and see broadcast
linkage as a sensory/informational tool (i.e. I see each individual or
node-while-in-continuous-broadcast-linkage as a sentient entity) I can't see
M-brains or the like as sensible unless the architecture was appropriate to
liberty and respect for sentient life (such as us). After all, currently we
could have had absolute control in society (Orwell style) but we choose not
to (most of us anyhow).
Talk in M-brain circles of human dumbness in comparison to an M-brain being
equivalent to billions of times that of a nematode to a human is purely
computational "stacking" theory, which reduces experience to bits. This is
not to say bits are not relevant, only that context is also relevant and is
certainly not irrelevant. Self-awareness appears to kick in in a 2-3 year
old human child. At that point moral worth is definitely established along
with articulated identity.
The contrary argument to fullscale necessary-M-brain theory is that whatever
mode is in operation when the Singularity occurs is the base-template for
some time to come, and in some cases for ever (because motivational
hard-wiring leaving aside the issue of free will may be very difficult to
consciously unplug or alter at the emotional level). Thus in this scenario
any virtualities generated might generally reflect the human Earth
experience in c.12 billion ABB (or 15 billion or whatever). Ditto for
emotions. There would be extreme divergences but these would probably be a
minority. Most people might opt for variations on the theme - at least for
the first 100 billion years!
For example, you might find that most people become amortal
cell/nanotech/computronium androids (with lifespans of at the very least
many billions of years) with some computronium virtuality stations and
centres within broadcast distance (whether directly or through information
circulation). Their rate of overtual reproduction might slow down from
current levels and their energy needs might be low because they prefer small
scale bodies and (current) Earthlike or analogous existence. Computronium
systems may only be add-ons for memory storage or virtuality.
Neurological substrates and virtuality environments are highly complex
areas. Intelligence and sentiency are two extremes of a spectrum. Culture
and personal identity, individual and group minds, consent and systems
operation (non-force and protective shielding) are all interlinked. If there
are any overriding principles for me, they are maximum choice and minimum
force and respect for all sentient life (whatever their computational
ability, whether human or AI or boosted dog or a mixture). If growth is
achieved at the cost of these principles it is morally and ethically
pointless. If growth is achieved while preserving these values it is
positive.
What does superintelligence think about? What do we think about with our
individual and communication-linkage-produced (cultural) superintelligence?
Exploration. Evocation. The other. Beauty. Love. Pleasure. Visions of other
spiritual systems and cosmologies. And once we find some area we like,
perhaps we stay (roughly) there for long periods of time.
To an extent, of course, we will have to factor in the necessities of
cosmological change into extropy, and this (cosmological destiny as it
relates to the substructural "Theory of Everthing", the information of the
"laws" of physics) is something we will discover as the Singularity
continues to unfold and we experience Cyberia.
Towards Ascension
Avatar Polymorph
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