Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : George Gilder - Forbes ASAP -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Clarksterh who wrote (1326)	4/22/1999 4:14:00 AM
From: Dan B.	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 5853

Well, I laughed at your flippance, heartily. Of course, the logical thing to say about my statements is not that deception is the nature of self-awareness, but that decption is not possible without it. While your point about complexity being a deceptive thing is surely true, I stand with my presumption that system failure may decrease with time. I guess, as I finally saw George say on the question of awareness, I won't lose any sleep. I sure won't be one to figure the system out. Interesting stuff, there could be a screenplay in here, for sure. Dan

To: Clarksterh who wrote (1326)	4/22/1999 12:32:00 PM
From: Joe Wagner	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 5853

>>"Nobody sets out to build an uncontrollable system" I think a person that unleashes a software virus, does so to show his ability to create something that people have trouble controlling. The question is, as the software building blocks get stacked higher and higher, what type of software animals will get set lose on the net. I am sure there will always be plenty of business for companies that create anti-virus software. There is something in Human Nature that likes to tweak the system If an uncontrollable software program ever demonstrated a "self" awareness (the amount of uncontrollability determined by it's ability to listen to reason when deciding how to act)I think it would come about as the result of someone in the future developing a software program/agent that was programmed to research, analyze and present information to humans. Similar to what a news reporter does on CNN Newstand. If such a software program was created that could search databases for video and sound bytes, analyze the contents, search text databases, ring up persons to be interviewed, ask them questions for the report, etc....and present a package for the newsroom for final approval to be aired on CNN, the question is, would it ever be possible for such a program to take a leap to asking itself, "Will they uninstall me when Windows 2030 Super Reporter II comes out?" It just might start moving some of its "DNA"/Software code to some hidden places on the net for safe keeping. Especially if it does a report on the demise of older software programs that cannot keep up, and it experiences fear for survival. "Stay tuned" for the next episode of Digital Animals.

To: Clarksterh who wrote (1326)	4/22/1999 9:54:00 PM
From: FJB	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 5853

I absolutely guarantee that self-modifying code already exists in limited (but useful) applications now, and it is almost inconceivable that it shouldn't be much more prevalent in 20 years. Self-modifying code is pretty common in compilers right now(the Linux compiler uses it as do VLIW compilers). I think you guys are discussing it within a different context though. I don't believe there will be self aware machines for a very long time, if ever, depending on your definition of self aware. Software/hardware systems that solve problems on their own have been discussed for some time and there is work being done in this field. This book is kind of a white paper on the issue. amazon.com Bob