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Let's address the easy part: Do you think the Church-Turing thesis (anything that is computable is computable by a Turing machine) indicates that machine consc
by gruseom 17y ago
Let's address the easy part:
Do you think the Church-Turing thesis (anything that is computable is computable by a Turing machine) indicates that machine consciousness is possible?
Only if you assume that consciousness is a computation, which is assuming everything.
I normally try to resist this topic, but what you're saying here tugs at my heart-strings:
I'm now a little concerned that it may all be a waste. I'd prefer not to waste my life on something that turns out like the phlogiston theory.
Consider the total failure of algorithmic approaches to even begin, even pathetically, to replicate anything recognizable as consciousness. Were the people working on it dumber than you?
Try to find some way to control for the geek fantasy factor, in yourself and others, before deciding what to do.
(By the way, now I'm curious: what was it that led you to "the scary idea that machine consciousness may not be possible"?)
- zoba 17y agoI've thought of it several times, but it wasn't until recently that it actually kind of scared me. It was just a surprise thought that arose as I was once again thinking about the topic. It probably scared me this time and not others because I'm very stressed over the GRE, and grad school applications (namely: where the heck should I apply), and how me telling grad schools "Oh, I'd like to study machine consciousness" will go over. I could be wrong, but I'm concerned they wont take me seriously...so I've been trying to think of something that sounds more acceptable.
- joeyo 17y agoMy advice, if you are considering a PhD, is to pick your school based on your potential research advisor more than the department or the school in general. Contact him or her before you apply and tell them your plans of study and research interests and then go from there.