4 ms·
The premise reminds of discussions of computing in Ra. https://qntm.org/aum https://qntm.org/aum > "Don't talk about the future," Vidyasagar says. > "What? Wh
by ryankrage77 2y ago
The premise reminds of discussions of computing in Ra. https://qntm.org/aum https://qntm.org/aum
> "Don't talk about the future," Vidyasagar says.
> "What? Why not?"
> "Look at this computer," Vidyasagar says, gesturing at the mainframe. "Computers are getting more powerful, yes?"
> "Sure."
> "What is the most powerful computer that will be built? Ever. Not this year. Not this decade. What computer will be the most powerful? And how powerful will it be? And how big?"
> Hatt thinks on this for ten long seconds. He opens his mouth, but never actually forms a word. The scale of the question is beyond him.
> Vidyasagar says to him, "No matter what you say, you will look like a fool. Every statement about the future turns out to be foolish."
- manjalyc 2y agoI would rather look like a fool than be one. At least then I would have something to be accountable to
- ggu7hgfk8j 2y agoThe entire visible universe. Not powerful enough.
- digging 2y agoThat's... a much less clever sentiment than it thinks. > No matter what you say, you will look like a fool That's because the question is nonsense, not because it's about the future. If the question is "What is the most powerful computer that will be built this decade?" it's answerable. No answer will be correct but there are certainly ways to answer that aren't foolish at all.
- Jerrrrrrry 2y agohttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reversible_computing#Physical_reversibility https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reversible_computing#Physical_...