Re: virus: kurzweil cuts the mustard

Bob Hartwig (hartwig@ais.net)
Wed, 30 Dec 1998 15:17:49 -0600


At 07:25 PM 12/30/98 +0000, you wrote:
>
>The point is that we don't understand consciousness in people,
>so we can't build it into machines. If you believe that any
>sufficiently powerful computer would be conscious, then that's
>just blind faith.

No, it's not simply a matter of computing power, it's a matter of
architecture also. We can't calculate PI to a million digits in our heads,
and a microprocessor running a procedural algorithm cannot achieve
consciousness. The computer would need to run a huge neural network,
either implemented in hardware or as a simulation. It would also need
adequate sensorial input, which would be quite a challenge to implement.

Of course, those who believe in a non-material soul would disagree with all
this. That's why I hope I live to see it happen.