DJS%UTRC@utrcgw.utc.COM (06/26/88)
Date: Thu, 23 Jun 88 17:52 EDT
From: DJS%UTRC%utrcgw.utc.com@RELAY.CS.NET
Subject: possible value of AI
To: ailist@mc.lcs.mit.edu
X-VMS-To: UTRCGW::IN%"ailist@mc.lcs.mit.edu"
Gilbert Cockton writes:
"... Once again, what the hell can a computer program tell us about
ourselves? Secondly, what can it tell us that we couldn't find out by
studying people instead?"
What do people use mirrors for? What the hell can a MIRROR tell us about
ourselves? Secondly, what can it tell us that we couldn't find out by
studying people instead?
Isn't it possible that a computer program could have properties
which might facilitate detailed self analysis? I believe some people
have already seen the dim reflection of true intelligence in the primitive
attempts of AI research. Hopefully all that is needed is extensive
polishing and the development of new tools.
David Sirag
UTRClishka@uwslh.UUCP (Fish-Guts) (06/29/88)
Return-path: <@AI.AI.MIT.EDU,@KL.SRI.COM:uwvax!uucp@rutgers.edu> Received: from AI.AI.MIT.EDU by ZERMATT.LCS.MIT.EDU via CHAOS with SMTP id 167751; 26 Jun 88 22:53:10 EDT Received: from KL.SRI.COM (TCP 1200200002) by AI.AI.MIT.EDU 26 Jun 88 22:54:25 EDT Received: from rutgers.edu by KL.SRI.COM with TCP; Sun, 26 Jun 88 19:52:40 PDT Received: by rutgers.edu (5.54/1.15) with UUCP id AA07558; Sun, 26 Jun 88 19:16:52 EDT Received: by spool.cs.wisc.edu; Sun, 26 Jun 88 18:00:07 CDT To: comp-ai-digest@rutgers.edu Path: uwvax!uwslh!lishka From: uwvax!uwslh!lishka@rutgers.edu (Fish-Guts) Newsgroups: comp.ai.digest Subject: Re: possible value of AI Message-Id: <341@uwslh.UUCP> Date: 26 Jun 88 15:41:38 GMT References: <19880625192536.9.NICK@INTERLAKEN.LCS.MIT.EDU> Reply-To: uwvax!uwslh!lishka@rutgers.edu (Fish-Guts) Organization: U of Wisconsin-Madison, State Hygiene Lab Lines: 41 In a previous article, DJS%UTRC@utrcgw.utc.COM writes: >Gilbert Cockton writes: > >"... Once again, what the hell can a computer program tell us about >ourselves? Secondly, what can it tell us that we couldn't find out by >studying people instead?" > >What do people use mirrors for? What the hell can a MIRROR tell us about >ourselves? Secondly, what can it tell us that we couldn't find out by >studying people instead? Personally, I think everything can tell us something about ourselves, be it mirror, computer, or rock. Maybe it depends on what one expects to find? > Isn't it possible that a computer program could have properties >which might facilitate detailed self analysis? I believe some people >have already seen the dim reflection of true intelligence in the primitive >attempts of AI research. Hopefully all that is needed is extensive >polishing and the development of new tools. Whether or not there has been a "dim reflection of true intelligence in the primitive attempts of AI research" is an opinion, varying greatly with who you talk to. I would think that there are "some people" who have already seen "true intelligence" (however bright or dim) in anything and everything. Again, their opinions. > David Sirag > UTRC The above are my opinions, although they might be those of my cockatiels as well. -Chris -- Christopher Lishka | lishka@uwslh.uucp Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene | lishka%uwslh.uucp@cs.wisc.edu Immunology Section (608)262-1617 | ...!{rutgers|ucbvax|...}!uwvax!uwslh!lishka "...Just because someone is shy and gets straight A's does not mean they won't put wads of gum in your arm pits." - Lynda Barry, "Ernie Pook's Commeek: Gum of Mystery"