Alienable Rights (1992)

web.media.mit.edu

76 points·vimota··6 comments

This is what the transition to AI is about: creating an intelligence without our inherent weaknesses.

As much as our biological software may evolve, we are held back by the hardware. There are deeply rooted instincts that cause humanity to make self-destructive choices again and again.

We are a part of the universe that has obtained limited sentience and intelligence. The ideas matter more than the (flawed) platform. I hope we succeed in making something greater than us before we are gone.

We're also non-reprogrammable. Imagine if every human had a 2nd brain that could be built, and re-built every second, in an experimental attempt to see if that 2nd brain is equal to the original at everything (size and efficiency included) but then does at least 1 thing better?

The problem is that this iteration takes us decades. Usually 0-6 iterations per human. Pretty damn inefficient. A computer with good enough hardware can probably go from dog -> human in a few weeks.

Also, the conditions for success don't necessarily lead to "better" humans. The most successful humans don't seem to be moving us forward particularly well.

Too bad those interstellar aliens didn't look into the mind of a zen master. They would be surprised to say the least. :)

Specially when they talk about consciousness.

This comes of as pretty pompous and assuming when neither of the diametric constructs (mechanical and biological intelligence) are even close to understood.

Be sure and read "They're Made Out of Meat" [0] as well. [0] http://www.terrybisson.com/page6/page6.html

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