I agree with you in a sense. I think that the algorithms as they exist today are not capable of sentience. I was trying to draw out this thread with the statis

I agree with you in a sense. I think that the algorithms as they exist today are not capable of sentience. I was trying to draw out this thread with the statistical and symbolic implementation piece, but that went on too long as it was. Then I realized that Searle had made that essential argument so I used him. And that, everyone felt, missed the point. They are right but it is this insight you present here that motivated that detour.