Author: Bob Durrett
Date: 08:33:57 12/20/02
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On December 20, 2002 at 10:51:54, Robert Hyatt wrote: >On December 20, 2002 at 08:52:44, Bob Durrett wrote: > >>On December 19, 2002 at 23:04:17, Robert Hyatt wrote: >> >><snip> >> >>>I think the basic problem is in understanding how _we_ do something. For >>>specific applications, no matter how complex they are, we can develop software >>>to accomplish that particular task. But only _if_ we know how we solve the >>>problem. That is the missing link so far. We simply don't know how we do >>>what we do, we just know we do it. >> >><snip> >> >>Hmmm. That sounds VERY philosophical. Almost religious. >> >>So you really do not believe the science fiction writers when they portray >>computers of the future creating new computers? Programs writing programs? > >Certainly I believe that will happen. I believe that before long, gene therapy >will eliminate most disease. But it will _only_ happen after the complete >genome is mapped along with all deviations that cause problems. Although perhaps TOO off-topic, I should "warn" everybody that our descendents may run out of oil, coal, and nuclear fuel before all these good things happen. [Solar Power Satellites may be their only salvation.] But I share your enthusiasm regarding that genome business. It is almost as interesting as computer chess! : ) >The point is, >once you understand something, you can fiddle with it to make it better. But if >you don't understand it, fiddling depends on serendipity to make it better, and >there is just as good a chance it will end up worse. Seriously, that is my experience too. But I rarely "understand" well enough. But don't knock the "trial and error" method. That's what Thomas Edison is supposed to have done to produce a practical light bulb. You do like light bulbs, don't you? : ) > >I can write a program for any process I understand fully, no matter how >complex it is. But for the human mind, we are simply not "there" yet... I >fully believe we _will_ get there at some point in time however.... > >> >>It is not clear to me that the computers [or robots] of the future will NEVER be >>able to cut the umbilical cord to their human "parents." > >Nor to me... Just not yet... :) > > >> >>At the risk of offending human chess programmers, let me suggest that smart >>computers or robots will create the chess engines of the future. The humans >>will be told to stay home and keep out of trouble. : ) >> >>Bob D. > > >That may well happen at some point in time...
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