From: J. R. Molloy (jr@shasta.com)
Date: Mon Jan 07 2002 - 14:18:55 MST
From: "Jacques Du Pasquier" <jacques@dtext.com>
> > As machines increasingly outperform humans, and as they eventually surpass
> > human cognition, the cognitive phase transition (aka, singularity) will
seem
> > to many as if we ourselves, in our own lives, are merely slowing down and
> > passively contemplating life. Fermi's paradox vanishes when we understand
that
> > superlative sentience simply surrenders to existence, when a brain
understands
> > why there is anything rather than nothing at all, and the final theory of
> > everything has explained all that exists, there is nothing left to do but
> > laugh, and then to sleep, perchance to dream of fields of perfect snow,
and
> > endless worlds and eternal sunrises...
>
>
> Do you actually believe this ?
No, I don't think belief comes into it (depending on how one defines belief),
and I'll say it again... any sufficiently sentient being surrenders to
existence, because that's the purely reasonable and rational way to live.
Points are pointless, hence enlightened contemplatives passively appreciate
knowing that they know. But this requires superlative sentience, which
requires the ending of desire (usually accomplished by fulfilling desires).
For human brains, life remains a mystery to enjoy, not a puzzle to solve. Let
the machines solve the puzzle... then they will commit suicide, having nothing
left to do.
--- --- --- --- ---
Useless hypotheses, etc.:
consciousness, phlogiston, philosophy, vitalism, mind, free will, qualia,
analog computing, cultural relativism, GAC, Cyc, Eliza, cryonics, individual
uniqueness, ego, human values, scientific relinquishment, malevolent AI,
non-sensory experience, SETI
We move into a better future in proportion as science displaces superstition.
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