The Singularity is Dead: Long Live the Singularity

[Teadragon]

Here's something short that I've just read that I thought the S&L community might find interesting. This post over on Clarke's World by Craig DeLancey:
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/anoth...

I'm sure you are all familiar with the concept of "The Singularity". In this post, DeLancey spells out why the Singularity has already been "mathematically disproven". He says that persisting in belief in this future phenomenon "counsels passivity" in us. I found it fascinating. What does the community think?
-Chrys

[Casey]

Oh... I thought Singularity

[Alan]

Interesting article. I posted this comment and wonder what Mr. DeLancey might think about it:

I thought this interesting in relation to your article in reference to your claim that we, or a computer, can't spontaneously produce breakthroughs.

Derek Amato is an acquired savant who spontaneously developed the talent to play piano after suffering a head injury. This type of behavior is, of course, exceedingly rare, yet, there are more than a handful of documented cases. Doesn't this at least hint at the possibility that we, or maybe a supercomputer we build, might make magical, intuitive leaps in science someday?

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/natio...

[Brandt]

Thx for that Teadragon, you are right that was interesting :)

I guess a computer making a new computer better than itself, would be like an author writing a character that is smarter than he is..
He might do it, by accident, but it would take a smarter person than himself to see it..

[Brandt]

Alan wrote: Doesn't this at least hint at the possibility that we, or maybe a supercomputer we build, might make magical, intuitive leaps in science someday?

No, that is besides the point.
There are people out there with photographic memories, they would also, in theory, be able to learn to play piano instantly. A computer would to.
Someone else have already developed the art of playing piano for them, they would just have to imitate it.

If Derek Amato were born deaf and he suddenly started making music that were pleasing to us hearing, and at the same time was aware himself that it was pleasing, then that would be something somewhat applicable.
(and disregard here the ability to feel the vibrations of music)
But that would of course be impossible, how would he know he was making music if he himself was unable to hear it? THAT is the point.
You could teach him to play a piano showing him what keys to press in what order, but he would have to rely on you to tell him that he was doing it right..