blackcat

I have to do a lot of searching for various sources as well as auxiliary information. Google used to be invaluable for this. Great search functions. Now I have to put a lot more work into finding what I’m actually looking for. It’s complex and I’ve had to spend a lot of time figuring out how to get around or avoid the “directed content”.

It used…[Read more]

First, chomsky is not a philosopher. He is a linguist who dabbles in political theory and very basic philosophical discourse. I agree with his general world view, and I sympathise with him. He lives in the only developed first world Country that is extremely hostile towards social spending, universal health care, financial regulation and c…[Read more]

Of course Chomsky’s right. It’s a magician’s trick of distraction. The conservative reich is realizing their every wet dream while the media freak out over Dolt 45.

On the other hand, if you read The Selfish Gene, you will understand how our genes have their own plans for us

Is replacing “purpose” with “plans” really an improvement? Is referring to genes as an aspirational and driven force any better? It’s just replicating code.

There is no purpose to life. We are a sack of cells which are obsessively and endlessly replicating their particular “code”. Anything more than that…is secondary…besides the point (including the emergence of emotional creatures, cooperative animals and intelligent mankind). I think you should be extremely careful with the term “purpose”…[Read more]

Yes – one day AI could regard us in much the same way as we regard algae. (Except we won’t be playing a significant role in the food chain.)

It’s not at all unreasonable to think that evolution is melding biology with technology. It doesn’t have a purpose, but AI could be the next stage in wherever it’s headed. Human creations, as ghastly as many of them are,  literally come “out of nature” just as much as stars, galaxies, and biotic beings.

Reading Martin Amis’s book Time’s Arrow. Freakiest novel I’ve ever read, or probably ever will.

@Bellen – > How do you believe two different things at once? Is that normal? I think I’m breaking from reality.

On the other hand, maybe Aleister Crowley was right:

“Balance every thought with its opposition. Because the marriage of them is the destruction of illusion.”

@Reg – thanks so much for posting Christopher’s presentation. Painfully sad but awesomely inspiring. Dawkins’ intro was amazing as well. (Also a fabulous example of something that gives you goosebumps.)

@JBO – Ok, so maybe everybody doesn’t like her, but everybody likes her better than Dolt 45. (Everybody you’d want to be at a party with anyway)

@ Robert – true, she does push a lot of woo. As a friend suggested, Dr. Oz for Surgeon General, anyone? I doubt they’ll be using the smooching Harvey pic on any campaign lit.

I’ve never been a fan or even watched her show, but if we’re in the age of celebrity pols she’d be vastly better than Mr. Art of the Tweet. She’s got major drawing power, and the D’s don’t have anyone else remotely charismatic or compelling in the wings. Since it won’t be Al Franken, I’d go for Oprah.