Thoughts on Artificial Intelligence

So, artificial intelligence. Theoretically, it is possible to program a computer with such a depth of complexity that it can learn, has functioning morals, and can react to entirely new situations in a logical way based on past experiences. Obviously, this method is rather impractical. I’m rather more partial to the natural selection method.

As we all know, every old computer has its own “personality.”

Old Man: “You want a printout? Give that old CPU a good swift kick!”

This “personality” results from every program installed, every action taken, every disk defragmented, and every virus downloaded.

Take two completely identical computers fresh out of the box. Assume that this is an ideal world, and that both are exactly the same in hardware, with no factory defects or abnormalities. Install the same program on both. And now, for the first difference, computer #1 gets defragmented after installation, whereas computer #2 is not. Now assume that both computers are sent to the same website via the same ISP. Both computers contract a virus that is set to corrupt and destroy a single specific memory block. #1’s memory block is destroyed, but #2’s is not, as it happened to be a block that shifted position and was never returned to its original state, lacking defragmentation. #1 downloads an update that erases the virus, but the damage is done. #2 never downloads the update. #1 downloads a software patch, however, to fix damage done by excessive disk fragmentation. The patch causes a single discrepancy in the OS binary code, however, which over the course of the next two years effects a cascade of minor binary changes.

Already, we have two VERY different computer systems from either each other or the original. Each one is unique. Even erasing the drive wouldn’t completely rid the system of traces of the original. Here is where it gets odd.

DNA mutates. A lot. Most of these mutations/transcription errors are destroyed or corrected, but every now and then one slips through. Mostly these mutations are harmless, but occasionally one comes along that is either harmful or beneficial. Harmful mutations, like the fatal transcription errors in a computer’s code, can kill the organism off. Beneficial transcription errors can increase the effectiveness of the computer.

Theoretically, eventually enough beneficial “mutations” could occur in a computer system as to create, at the least, a crude form of “artificial intelligence,” possessed of its own unique “personality.” Not saying it’s practical, just theoretically possible.

A Black Hole of Logic

Just an interesting thought. Listening to the other people in my high school chemistry class, I have come to categorize people into these three, um, categories regarding their personal opinions upon the nature of black holes. Yes, I know that black holes are not exactly related to chemistry, but hey, it was an interesting tangent.

Category #1: Black Holes are Gateways to ANOTHER UNIVERSE!

The question those in this category most often ask: How exactly do black holes lead to another universe? My response: You’ve been watching a little too much science fiction. While there is some merit to the theory, there just isn’t enough evidence, mathematical or otherwise, to support the probability that the gravitational distortion created by a black hole is great enough to actually warp space in our dimension and a hypothetically parallel/intersecting one to the extent that any object, even a particle of light, to pass through to that other dimension. Besides, if you got sucked into a black hole, you’d be crushed beyond the limits of time and space, so it’s kinda moot point anyway.

Category #2: Black Holes can CRUSH THINGS TO THE SIZE OF A SINGLE ATOM!

This one always cracks me up. Why is an atom always the “magic measurement” of science? Maybe it’s because of being taught in grade school of the immense importance of the ATOM, and how IMPORTANT IT IS! Why would the crushing intensity of the black hole stop at a single atom? Why not a neutron? Or a quark? Although considering the collective mass of the items being crushed, better make that a tau, or perhaps a muon….

Category #3: I Need Another Energy Drink!

I think this category kinda speaks for itself….

And then there’s my viewpoint. I myself am partial to the idea that the gravitational field of a black hole concludes itself in a mathematical point. That the mass being crushed never stops being crushed, that it just continues on being compressed smaller and smaller, down into infinity until it theoretically reaches a single mathematical point.

Until next time.