I believe minds are strange loops: level-crossing feedback loops. My understanding is that they are systems that edit how they edit themselves. This post is about self-improving artificial intelligences, which I believe are strange loops. The question is, could there be a class of strange loops that tend to increase in complexity? What environment would … [Read more…]
So there’s this thing call “3D printing” where you can melt plastic and create layer after layer in order to get a 3D object. Turns out you can make real, fireable guns using 3D printing. Here’s my question: do you think making guns should be banned? I tend to think even if it is banned, … [Read more…]
Ramez Naam is a pretty cool dude. The first book I read of his is called Nexus. It’s my new all-time favorite book. I don’t say that lightly. It has science and telepathy and empathy and hacking and insight into the future of humanity. Ramez is an optimist of the best kind: he’s extremely level-headed. … [Read more…]
Let’s talk about evil artificial intelligence. From Terminator to The Matrix, humans have feared computers taking over the world. I think there are great reasons why that’s unlikely: 1. Intelligence is hard to model. 2. Self-improving intelligence may be even harder. 3. Intelligence requires cooperation. 4. Intelligence grows. It is not a switch that is … [Read more…]
A great question that humanity faces is this: Given the age and size of the Universe, why don’t we see evidence of alien civilizations? This is the so-called Fermi Paradox: “Where is everybody?” My interpretation had always been the very pessimistic view that technological civilizations self-destruct. Meaning, atomic bombs or super-virulent viruses are created that … [Read more…]