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From: spaceboy@indirect.com (s p a c e b o y)
Subject: Re: Computers--Next stage in evolution?  Hmmmmmm.....
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Demetrius L. Davis (davisd@pleiades.cs.rpi.edu) wrote:

: Lastly, there's the question of Self.  After reading Minsky's SOM, I've
: realized that Self is a bigger question than intellectual ability.
: Within our "Self", we can address the issues of personality, character,
: and maybe even moral values.  If computers can obtain a Self, then who 
: would we be to judge the position of the computer in the evolution chain?

This has always been the most interesting aspect of a-life to me.  Much 
of the research whose goals are to create an electronic brain seem 
focused on using the human brain as a model.  I have heard people argue 
that the brain is far too complex to emulate (i agree) and it will never 
be done, and others couter that it can be done easily using simpler, 
smaller models and evolving these systems.  I question the very heart of 
this research.  Just a few opinions:

	Intelligence occurred in humans as a fluke.  Evolution's long time 
tools "natural selection" and "survival of the fittest" gained a 
formidable opponent when humans gained consciousness.  Ancient man was 
not the fittest of the earths beasts yet through this complex chain of 
evolutionary selections and survivals, here we are on top.  It is 
difficult even today to understand exactly what we are and why we are in 
this exalted position of power over this planet.  Does this also mean 
that technology is a direct product of organic evolution or simply 
something existing entirely outside of it?  This could even mean that 
electronic evolution may one day pick up where we leave off.  Descendants 
of electronic evolution may be able to comprehend aspects of this 
universe that we do not posess the capacity to theorize, let alone 
analyze the data.  Can we therefore serve as the missing link our 
electronic children need to gain their rightful consciouness.  If 
computers gain this consciousness we believe they seek, will we continue 
to control their growth, assuming evolution is something we can manage 
just as we manage our corporate database?  In creating a digital 
intelligence are we providing a gateway for evolution to jump to a 
new "platform" or "media", perhaps long before its "release date" (corny 
pun aside).

In the bio fields we are entering realms of control over nature for which 
we are surely not prepared for.  We are doing the research and making the 
strides long before the philosophical questions have been answered.  
If I am curious as to whats inside an unopened door I must research and 
weigh the consequences of opening and not opening such a door.  
Scientists in these bio fields have ignored this question for noble 
reasons like fighting disease and advancing our knowledge about 
ourselves, and not-so-noble like making money.  I question for which of 
these reseaons (or a similar one) a-life research is done.  If someone 
pays you enough should you create it?  Oppenheimer must have been quite 
proud of his machine, and so will the father/mother of the first 
intelligent device.   And as a similar precaution such a child will 
become the prize of a nation and will be enslaved and bred to be more 
powerful and serve its masters.  Those with the money will develop it 
first and they won't let it go for nothing.  OF course this is all words 
over a page and I don't believe a-life research will reach this stage 
in any of our lifetimes.

To understand where the true intelligence and power lie in nature read "The 
Hot Zone" by Richard Preston.  I guarantee it will be the most graphic and 
frightening view of how nature "maintains the balance" you will have read 
in quite a while.  Probably the most gross thing you will want to read 
over and over again.

s p a c e b o y @ i n d i r e c t . c o m

p a t r i c k  h e n s l e y
