[starlogo-users] philosophical inquiry

[RIB]

I agree that humans have come the farthest with distributed
intelligence, well beyond even the ants, and certainly dogs.

What I find hard to swallow is the notion that human evolution is
notable for a qualitative shift in consciousness (few philosophers
still try to hold on to this).

So we have tighter, more interesting and complex social networks... We
are still a long way from the potential connectedness of artificial
systems.

Rob

On 5/22/07, Stephen E Hauf <shauf1 at hotmail.com> wrote:
> Yes, but how many other species that we know of communicate using symbolic
> language other than something very simple such as marking territory with
> urine
>
> > Date: Tue, 22 May 2007 16:24:13 +0430
> > From: ribowers at gmail.com
> > To: starlogo-users at media.mit.edu
> > Subject: Re: [starlogo-users] philosophical inquiry
> >
> > On 5/21/07, RIB <ribowers at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > Some qualms about your comments, Danielle...
> > >
> > > 1. You seem to be assuming that a super-brain will be smarter than the
> > > ones we know. I'm having troubles seeing what that might mean. (I
> > > guess it will at least be politically smarter, and on this point it
> > > gives me hope for the future...)
> > >
> > > 2. I strongly doubt your claim that "The human brain is ... the first
> > > capable of Thinking..." There have been many forms of thinking brains
> > > some more connected than ours (though loosely, through social
> > > behaviour, like in your example, the ants). Are you denying that other
> > > brains think? What do you think they're there for?
> > >
> > > I appreciate your enthusiasm. I think its great too. Lets see what we
> > > can make happen,
> > > Rob
> > >
> > >
> > > On 5/21/07, Danielle Parsons <wholesomepictures at earthlink.net> wrote:
> > > > I'd like to put this post out to the Starlogo community for
> discussion:
> > > >
> > > > This moment in time is massively interesting, combining
> > > > the structuralities of the planet's most powerful centralized
> intelligence
> > > > with its most powerful decentralized intelligence.
> > > >
> > > > The human brain is exciting because it's the first capable of
> Thinking.
> > > > Forming associations, being aware of more than meets the eye, being
> rational,
> > > > making considered choices. Now imagine linking all of these thinking
> brains
> > > > together in the way that ants are connected in a colony, in a system
> of distributed
> > > > intelligence. The possibilities for intelligence are exponentially
> > > > increased.
> > > >
> > > > This linkage is already underway. We are building decentralized,
> emergent systems into our
> > > > lives and participating in them on various levels: the world-wide-web,
> traffic flow, city sidewalks.
> > > > They inform our technology, computer programs, and our economies,
> > > > the stock market.
> > > >
> > > > There's no question that the results will be amazing - many will
> believe
> > > > they are metaphysical. In reality, if we can understand how
> distributed
> > > > systems work then we'll know that the magic of the age of aquarius is
> partly
> > > > humanity expressing ant intelligence.
> > > >
> > > > Many people will simply participate. Those with the pleasure of being
> aware have a mandate to direct the expression of this intelligence explosion
> toward peace generosity and cooperation.
> > > > Look to the Ant!
> > > >
> > > > Are any of you thinking about this convergence vis-a-vis human
> evolution?
> > > >
> > > > Thank you,
> > > > Danielle
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
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> > > > starlogo-users at media.mit.edu
> > > >
> http://education.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/starlogo-users
> > > >
> > >
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> >
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