From: Lee Corbin (lcorbin@tsoft.com)
Date: Wed Nov 13 2002 - 14:53:31 MST
Samantha writes
> >>You would think that our lives were rather boring and that we
> >>are at pains to take any excuse imaginable for a little diversion
> >>judging from the recent predominant list topics. For the sake of
> >>*the* future, starting with our own, I hope this is simply a
> >>temporary anomaly.
> >
> >Me, too. The inappropriately named thread "duck me" still holds
> >my attention because I'm curious about the psychology of what will
> >happen when uploads spawn copies of themselves and how they'll
> >value each other. Moreover, I would still like to become more
> >quiescent about my own anticipations, *anticipation* remaining
> >a central part of my daily life, yet evidently theoretically
> >incoherent.
> >
> Wouldn't it be a lot more interesting though to first work
> on the myriad problems of how to do uploads?
That work is beyond my knowledge base at present. I do
read books on brain physiology, on physics, and so on,
but rather more enjoy the time I spend studying mathematics.
Deep philosophic problems can be fun to discuss, however.
What's there to discuss about uploading, except for newbies
unaccustomed to the idea? I have an acquaintance who decided
to devote himself full time to uploading. Last I heard,
though, he's decided to go back to school.
> Or how we effectively combine and augment our intelligence
> to achieve some of our goals?
Unfortunately vague, for my tastes. But I'm willing to
listen to any provocative ideas.
> Quiescent? Meaning more at peace or seeing the future as less
> problematic and threatening in this area?
Yes. I want to internalize the truths about duplicates and
selves, as I want to internalize mathematical and historical
truths. Right now, I'm not totally decided about some
issues involving anticipation (e.g., in the Clock/Torture
experiment or quite similar thought experiments).
> Reminds me of my former roomies who are utterly addicted to EverQuest.
> They have played in nearly every waking moment they are not sleeping or
> working the day job. They take a great deal of sense of accomplishment
> in maxing out their characters. But of course it doesn't mean anything
> real.
Tastes vary, and there is no accounting for them. Evidently
some quite intelligent people watch wrestling on TV.
Lee
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