5 ms·
If you believe computers can think then you must be able to explain why a chain of dominoes is also thinking when I convert an LLM from transistor relay switche
by measurablefunc 1y ago
If you believe computers can think then you must be able to explain why a chain of dominoes is also thinking when I convert an LLM from transistor relay switches into the domino equivalent. If you don't fall for the marketing hype & study both the philosophical & mathematical literature on computation then it is obvious that computers (or any mechanical gadget for that matter) can not qualify for any reasonable definition of "thinking" unless you agree that all functionally equivalent manifestations of arithmetic must be considered "thinking", including cascading dominoes that correspond to the arithmetic operations in an LLM.
- bobxmax 1y ago[flagged]
- measurablefunc 1y agoNot arithmetic or boolean algebra. What's your definition?
- Nevermark 1y ago> Not arithmetic or boolean algebra. That isn’t a definition or even a coherent attempt. For starters, what kind of cognition or computation can’t be implemented with either logic or arithmetic? What is or is not “cognition” is going to be a higher level property than what basic universally capable substrate is used. Given such substrates can easily simulate each other, be substituted for each other. Even digital and analog systems can be used to implement each other to arbitrary accuracy. Cognition is a higher level concern.
- bobxmax 1y agoI'm not the one making obtuse claims and desperately trying to trigger reactions.
- measurablefunc 1y agoAddress the substance of my statements or save yourself the time & further keystrokes responding to my posts.
- bobxmax 1y agoThere is no substance to address lol.
- measurablefunc 1y agoThen you should have saved yourself the time from any further responses. That would be the rational course of action.
- supern0va 1y ago>If you believe computers can think then you must be able to explain why a chain of dominoes is also thinking when I convert an LLM from transistor relay switches into the domino equivalent. Sure, but if you assume that physical reality can be simulated by a Turing machine, then (computational practicality aside) one could do the same thing with a human brain. Unless you buy into some notion of magical thinking as pertains to human consciousness.
- measurablefunc 1y agoNo magic is necessary to understand that carbon & silicon are not equivalent. The burden of proof is on those who think silicon can be a substitute for carbon & all that it entails. I don't buy into magical thinking like Turing machines being physically realizable b/c I have studied enough math & computer science to not be confused by abstractions & their physical realizations.
- avmich 1y agoThe proof immediately follows from the ability of silicon systems in principle to model carbon ones with arbitrary precision.
- measurablefunc 1y agoI recently wrote a simulation of water molecules & got really confused when the keyboard started getting water condensation on it. I concluded that simulating water was equivalent to manifesting it in reality & immediately stopped the simulation b/c I didn't want to short-circuit the CPU.