Template:M intro technology rumours of our demise: Difference between revisions
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But state-of-the-art machines, per Arthur C. Clarke, aren’t magic: it just ''seems'' like it, sometimes. They are a two-dimensional, simplified model of human intelligence. A proxy: a modernist [[simulacrum]]. They are a shorthand way of mimicking a limited sort of sentience, potentially useful in known environments and constrained circumstances. | But state-of-the-art machines, per Arthur C. Clarke, aren’t magic: it just ''seems'' like it, sometimes. They are a two-dimensional, simplified model of human intelligence. A proxy: a modernist [[simulacrum]]. They are a shorthand way of mimicking a limited sort of sentience, potentially useful in known environments and constrained circumstances. | ||
Yet we have begun to model ourselves upon machines. The most dystopian part of John Cryan’s opening quote was the first part — “''today, we have people doing work like robots''” — because it accurately describes a stupid present reality. We have persuaded ourselves that | Yet we have begun to model ourselves upon machines. The most dystopian part of John Cryan’s opening quote was the first part — “''today, we have people doing work like robots''” — because it accurately describes a stupid present reality. We have persuaded ourselves that “being machine-like’’ should be our loftiest aim. But if we are in a footrace where what matters is simply strength, speed, consistency, modularity, [[fungibility]] and ''mundanity'' — humans will surely ''lose''. | ||
But we ’’aren’t’’ in that foot race. Strength, speed, consistency, fungibility and patience are the loftiest aims ''only where | But we ’’aren’t’’ in that foot race. Strength, speed, consistency, fungibility and patience are the loftiest aims ''only where there is no suitable machine''. | ||
If you ''have'' got a machine, ''use it'': let your people do something more useful. | If you ''have'' got a suitable machine, ''use it'': let your people do something more useful. | ||
If you haven’t, ''build'' one. | If you haven’t, ''build'' one. |