by rsch20 » Tue 27 Sep 2005, 02:50:06
UIUCstudent01 wrote
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')e'll reach a point of diminishing returns.
Just because you see each successive point slope getting higher and higher doesn't mean that it will eventually turn into an exponental - almost horizantal line part of the graph. (I think thats what you call the omega point..)
It could easily slow down. This is very much like peak oil... some people say/think that because oil has always increased, that it will increase forever...
There's probably a limiting factor... it may be energy or it may be just the natural design of things...
the slope won't 'turn' exponential, it is
already exponential. each advancement comes exponentially faster than the one previous to it, it's been following that curve since computers were invented (indeed, as observed in 'waking up in time' it's been happening since the beginning of the universe).
diminishing returns, absolutely. but what would those diminishing returns be? where are you going to draw the line, just before AI? current research in AI is very promising so I'd be willing to bet you are wrong on that one.
there is no example that I can think of where advancements lead to less advancements. it is the other way around, instead of diminishing returns you have positive feedback. better tools lead to new breakthroughs, which allow us to construct still better tools. and so on.
I would submit that the only true point of diminishing returns, would be when a being exists that completely understands the universe and all of it's workings. at that point there would truly be 'nothing left to learn'. but that point is at or beyond Omega Point. so Omega Point is still more than possible.
even actively trying to prevent techonological breakthroughs doesn't prevent them, it just assures someone else will make the discovery first.
ludi wrote$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')o you really think a "super-intelligence" is capable of breaking the laws of physics as we know them?
Now that seems indeed a leap of faith
to answer your question at face value, well yes. a super intelligence would be quite capable of breaking the laws of physics as we know them, we regularly break the laws of physics as the romans (or even newton) understood them. our knowledge of physics is incomplete, future discovery's will almost certainly 'break' our current knowledge of them.
which laws were you referring to anyway? exterminating humans certainly wouldn't require breaking any laws of physics, just some advanced weaponry and the 'will' to use them. a new energy producing technology wouldn't 'break' the laws of physics, by definition if it worked then it would be within those laws.
ElijahJones wrote$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '
')Let me first say that if we cannot learn to accept a steady state economy we won't get the chance to build on existing technology. The world will break down into chaos. I am trying to understand why you don't think that Omega Point could come along just in time to save us from peak oil?
That's my little partial criticism, but a few additions might be the speed at which technology is developed does not imply implementation. In fact unless human evolution is keeping pace with the very brightest minds there will be a growing number of people in each generation from here on out who tune out most of the change.
And if we are to get honest with our selves the vast majority of humans are still completely defficient in the technology that we consider 'basic' in the west. I have to say that I enjoy the idea of this sort of Star Tekky super tech next step to humanity stuff but like Tainter I believe that our society has reached its peak of complexity. Until there is a die-off and a reevaluation of social goals related to energy and science Omega point will never come.
If we survive peak oil we will have learned some very important lessons that I think could lead to world peace (honestly). From there colonizing Mars and human computer integration, all this stuff could happen. In fact I just read somewhere that this new chip called "The Cell" is about to revolution computing. Its a multiprocessor. We have barely made good use of the internet or the potential of computing as it is today and we are getting faster stuff everyday. My suspicion is that sociologically this will be detrimental.
A horrible crash is almost fated at this point. Its not that the system cannot change but the global economy is like a giant ocean liner you can't just turn these damn things on a dime. The more demand growth we allow the faster we will have to find alternatives at global scales when peak happens. I honestly believe most technology will become useless in a world facing over 5% demand destruction per year across the board. Prices are going to go through the roof, inflation, famine and war. Its the four horsemen buddy. I like the idea of Omega point its just that behind it you need a society and an economy that is rock solid ripped and ready to run and peak oil will probably make that impossible.
I think that omega point can come along just in time to save us, because well it can =p it's due by 2040 and we may well last that long. Peak Oil is not a model that says 'the world will fall apart in 2006', it just states that production will peak either sometime in the near future or possibly already. a recession is just as possible as a complete crash, isn't one of the Peak Oil books titled 'The Long Emergency'?
The list of potential troubles facing us is long and mind-numbing.
1. Peak Oil
2. Global Warming
3. Overpopulation
4. Nuclear War
5. Nanotech
6. Super-Volcano
7. Ice Age
8. Meteor
9. Overshoot
10. Terrorism (as a society progresses technologically, assuming a certain portion of that society is intent on destroying everything the farther along you get the more destruction can be wreaked by that portion)
that's an incomplete list i'm sure, and many of those threats are so rare and random that we have a hard time being scared by them. a horrible crash certainly does seem 'fated' if not sooner then later. but that does not disqualify Omega Point until one of them actually happens, since we are still here, there is still a non-zero chance for Omega Point (or one of the other outcomes) to happen.
as for the infrastructure issue, 30 years ago nobody had any concept of how integrated computers would become in our lives. do you have a cell phone? that technology disseminated itself rather quickly wouldn't you agree?
o2ny: I've read about Novelty Theory and the Mayan Calendar, I find it intriguing, but left it out of my original post due to the 'crackpot' aspect of both of them. a super-intelligence would be pretty novel don't you agree?
there are too many synchronicities to ignore that is for certain, Peak Oil, Omega Point, Mayan Calander, Novelty Theory, Global Warming, all of them point to either problems or changes within a very short number of years. more evidence of things accelerating. If I had to lay a bet on when things are going to go loopy, i'd put my money on 2012, just cause I like the irony of it.
http://www.sysopmind.com/tmol-faq/orientation.htmlthis website is very informative on the topic of super-ai. ironically enough the site puports to answer the 'meaning of life', the answer is very simple: we are here to create super-ai =p before scoffing read it, the argument is actually very solid.
fossil fuel wrote:$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 't')he potential implications of omega point scare me far more than peak oil.
perhaps it's a good thing that it will likely never happen due to PO and a variety of other factors.
by 0mar » Tue 27 Sep 2005, 04:05:43
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('FatherOfTwo', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('UIUCstudent01', 'I')t could easily slow down. This is very much like peak oil... some people say/think that because oil has always increased, that it will increase forever...
Just playing devils advocate here, (and I don't want to hijack this thread) but aside from the abiotic oil nut-jobs, can you point to any credible sources who claim that "oil production will increase forever"?
Lynch doesn't. CERA doesn't. etc.
They say that'll oil production will increase until alternatives and renewables can replace them. It's fairy tale wishing.
Omega point sounds like a fancy idea, but is no more a savior to peak oil than is a dog-witch detector. What use does super enhanced AI have to do with real problems happening today? What could it possibly do to combat the geological limitation of a finite compound, a multi-trillion dollar a year infrastructure and centuries of cultural inertia? This idea/concept is no more likely to help in Peak Oil than is hydrocarbons from space, or He-3 from the moon or whatever fanciful idea is the flavor of the month.
Joseph Stalin
"It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything. "