8 Matching Annotations
  1. Oct 2018
    1. if you replace the idea that life is a narrative with the idea that life is a vision

      It's an interesting thought to replace the idea of life as a narrative vs a vision, it kind of goes along with the idea of technology being concrete of fluid. A narrative is something more concrete and a vision seems for fluid because a narrative is bound by the progression of time and in a vision things can happen simultaneously.

    1. We will solve large analytical problems by turning computer power loose on the hard data of the Semantic Web.

      The idea of turning something loose has the connotation that it is no longer under our control and can therefore have unpredictable outcomes. To a degree, no one can really predict what would happen if we reprogrammed the web in this new way.

    2. As the power is unleashed, computers on the Semantic Web achieve at first the ability to describe, then to infer, and then to reason. The schema is a huge step, and one that will enable a vast amount of interoperability and extra functionality. However, it still only categorizes data. It says nothing about meaning or understanding.

      The author presents an interesting progression for the Web to eventually learn to reason. The picture he paints of more accessible content on the internet hinges on the internet learning to reason, which is a human characteristic. It seems we need to apply human characteristics to all of our mechanics for them to progress in their usefulness.

  2. Sep 2018
    1. People who take pills to block out from memory the painful or hateful aspects of a new experience will not learn how to deal with suffering or sorrow. A drug that induces fearlessness does not produce courage.

      He does a really good job pointing out some of the dangers of effortlessly overcoming fear at the cost of learning courage and struggle at the cost of learning discipline but he doesn't really touch on how in time we might recognize the side effect these biomedical technologies bring and human nature might push back against it. Kind of like with genetically modified foods now all people want is organic food.

    1. Instead of taking these characteristics and saying that they are the basis for “human dignity,” why don’t we simply accept our destiny as creatures who modify themselves?

      He mentioned several times that human nature can be the basis for values and morality, but here he says that human nature is subject to change. In that case It sounds like he believes that the standards of morality and value which are based on human nature should also change and that doesn't sound like very firm ground to stand on.

    1. Well, he acts like he has genuine emotions.

      Something that is genuine is real and we know that emotions are biological chemical reactions so to be talking about a piece of metal as having real emotions is kind of strange if you think about it.

    2. Hal, despite your enormous intellect, are you ever frustrated  by your dependence on people to carry out actions?

      They're asking for Hal's opinion which might seem like just a logic question, but even opinions are tied in with emotions and can only pertain to a self-aware entity.

    3. Not in the slightest bit. I enjoy working with people. I have a stimulating relationship with Dr. Poole and Dr. Bowman.

      Hal talking about emotions and even level of emotion like "not in the slightest"