83,196
edits
Template:M intro technology rumours of our demise: Difference between revisions
Template:M intro technology rumours of our demise (view source)
Revision as of 23:03, 19 November 2023
, 19 November 2023→On being a machine
Amwelladmin (talk | contribs) Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
Amwelladmin (talk | contribs) Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
||
| Line 122: | Line 122: | ||
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 | 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 | But we ’’aren’t’’ in that foot race. Strength, speed, consistency, fungibility and patience are the loftiest aims ''only where you haven’t got a suitable machine''. | ||
If you ''have'' got a machine, ''use it'': let your people do something more useful. | If you ''have'' got a machine, ''use it'': let your people do something more useful. | ||