computing breakthrough - skepticism

From: Brent Allsop (allsop@swttools.fc.hp.com)
Date: Wed Feb 10 1999 - 13:54:30 MST


Eliezer S. Yudkowsky <sentience@pobox.com> posted some info
questioning the possibility that this is really what it claims. I
drilled down a bit more trying to find some real substance to these
outragious claims. I think I found the primary secret to it all in
paragraph 10 on their "about.html" page:

> This means that SBS's Hypercomputer systems work faster and more
> like the human mind than other computing systems. There are two
> obvious benefits to a system that is a more natural extension of the
> human thought process. First, the operator is able to more
> efficiently interface with the system. It is simpler to
> operate. Second, the system can be used to imitate the human
> mind. The power of an electronic computer has no meaning if it
> cannot be translated into results the human mind can absorb and
> comprehend. Compatibility with human thinking renders an electronic
> computer more efficient and more responsive.

        How could anyone miss this? Of course "compatibility with
human thinking renders an electronic computer more efficient and more
responsive"! I wonder why no one has thought of this before now! ;)
Can someone tell us what it feels like to have one's mind "absorb and
comprehend" data from such a powerful computing device? It must be
like interacting with God himself! ;)

                Brent Allsop



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