3 ms·
When you can figure out how to physically attach consciousness to a machine, get back to me
by LocalH 6y ago
When you can figure out how to physically attach consciousness to a machine, get back to me
- jcelerier 6y agothe only thing that matters is for it to look like the consciousness has been attached.
- jessaustin 6y agoI've never forgotten the scene in the OSC short story "Fat Farm", in which the protagonist's mind has been copied to his clone, which clone has left the facility to "continue" to enjoy his fine life, and the protagonist realizes he hasn't thought about what comes next. The answer is grim. A consciousness might awake in the machine, but it won't be my consciousness.
- sosborn 6y agoBut for the consciousness in the machine, does that distinction matter at all?
- jessaustin 6y agoWe'll never know. This is inherently subjective. Philosophers might suspect zombies...
- nlh 6y agoI think about this a lot. The answer, I think, is No, the distinction does not matter. The consciousness in the machine will think "Wow this worked!" and go on with life in the machine. The original consciousness (you) will say "well that was dull - look at that machine consciousness having all the fun inside the machine." But now extend the metaphor. Is there really any difference - in your perspective as the original consciousness - between the consciousness in the machine (your copy) and the consciousness next to you? (Your wife, husband, friend, brother, or sister). Or the consiousness across the street? Or any other consciousness that's not you? Each has its own set of memories that gives it a sense of self. Each sees the world outward from its own perspective. So really, is there any difference at all? Either they're all totally different...or maybe they're all the same......
- Enginerrrd 6y agoI understand the criticism but I think that moment will come LONG before we start effectively colonizing or terraforming the other planets. Id bet a LOT of money on that.