China to lead world technology - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Botnst · #16 01-27-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymr

But if the definition of thinking includes the full range of human emotions and responses, I think we will never see the day.

We'll see. If you're right in 20 years, give me a call and I'll buy you a soyburger and a glass of soymilk. It may take a couple of weeks in my electric car, but I'll get there.

aklim · #17 01-27-2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymr

But if the definition of thinking includes the full range of human emotions and responses,

I think we will never see the day.

Is it such a great thing that we need to engineer it? I doubt any machine would be better served having it. Maybe for one or two applications, it might but not as a rule.

IF you lived long enough, I would think you would.

raymr · #18 01-27-2008, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Is it such a great thing that we need to engineer it? I doubt any machine would be better served having it. Maybe for one or two applications, it might but not as a rule.

IF you lived long enough, I would think you would.

True, a logical machine would likely discard 99% of human emotions and 'feelings' as superfluous and counter-productive. But then, what would be their motivation and reason for existence, without passion or joy?

aklim · #19 01-27-2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymr

True, a logical machine would likely discard 99% of human emotions and 'feelings' as superfluous and counter-productive. But then, what would be their motivation and reason for existence, without passion or joy?

What is to say that 1% won't be meaningful? What is to say that they won't find other motivations? Motivations we don't understand, for instance.

raymr · #20 01-27-2008, 11:02 AM

Would humans knowingly create something that they can't understand?
(Now that I think about it, the answer is Yes. The federal tax code comes to mind.

)

I hope machines continue to serve people for the rest of my lifetime, and not the other way around, where people become enslaved to machines with alien motivations.
(I have to go replace my MB idle control module now)

LaRondo · #21 01-27-2008, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

Two of my favorite suppositions people make about the future that involve technology are:

1. We will never create life;
2. We will never create thinking machines.

I believe both are incorrect no matter what definitions are used for "life" and "thinking". I'll bet we have both within 20 years.

B

I think, in general, leading societies have been pretty successful, creating 'vegetating thinking machines' .. question remains if the 'vegetating' part is rather deliberate or if it will just take another few centuries to evolve to the 'living' state ....

Yet, it makes me think of the remarkable story called "The Hundreth Monkey" ...

aklim · #22 01-27-2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymr

where people become enslaved to machines with alien motivations.
(I have to go replace my MB idle control module now)

As opposed to what? Becoming enslaved to another person with alien motivations? What is the difference besides the enslaver?

raymr · #23 01-27-2008, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

We'll see. If you're right in 20 years, give me a call and I'll buy you a soyburger and a glass of soymilk. It may take a couple of weeks in my electric car, but I'll get there.

And if you are driven here by your Apple iCompanion Robot Pro, I will buy rounds of the finest fermented seaweed broth available.

raymr · #24 01-27-2008, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaRondo

You see now, how much they don't want to hear it?
To redicule and/or belittle ... just 2 of the many signs, displaying denial.

Last time I checked, which was a week ago, there are still huge numbers of Asian students attending American universities. So, where do they go to gain knowledge? The poor ones attend school in China, the rich ones come here.

If you are at all familiar with what's involved to become a medical doctor in China, you would not opt for any kind of surgery there. Lets just say the first couple of years of education have nothing to do with medicine at all. Pretty much anyone can become a 'doctor'.

China is succeeding due to dirt-cheap labor and lots of it. Don't confuse technology with manufacturing capacity.

Don't doubt the ability of the US to compete world-wide. We are in a much better position than most of Europe to compete. Just to start with, we have more natural resources, a better work ethic, and a lower cost tax structure.

aklim · #25 01-27-2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymr

China is succeeding due to dirt-cheap labor and lots of it. Don't confuse technology with manufacturing capacity.

Don't doubt the ability of the US to compete world-wide. We are in a much better position than most of Europe to compete. Just to start with, we have more natural resources, a better work ethic, and a lower cost tax structure.

That is why I said to forget about manufacturing. We cannot fight that fight. Go into high tech manufacturing where they are not fully able to compete YET.

We don't have a better work ethic

raymr · #26 01-27-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

We don't have a better work ethic

Ethic might be the wrong word. US productivity compares very favorably though. Consider who is building some of Japan's and Europe's best selling cars. They could have saved on labor costs by setting up factories in other places besides the US.

connerm · #27 01-27-2008, 08:15 PM

Bill Clinton

WVOtoGO · #28 01-27-2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

Two of my favorite suppositions people make about the future that involve technology are:

1. We will never create life;
2. We will never create thinking machines.

I believe both are incorrect no matter what definitions are used for "life" and "thinking". I'll bet we have both within 20 years.

B

I feel they are both incorrect as well.

1. DJ and I created life. Twice.

2. My 300D will only break down at the most inopportune times, after I’ve cussed at it under my breath. So, it must be listening and thinking something.

aklim · #29 01-27-2008, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymr

Ethic might be the wrong word. US productivity compares very favorably though. Consider who is building some of Japan's and Europe's best selling cars. They could have saved on labor costs by setting up factories in other places besides the US.

Yes but they are highly selective about whom they hire. They get the best people and it seems our manufacturing gets the rest.