Man and Machine

[Katahu]

We have already been dominated by Man vs. Machine movies like "The Terminator: Rise of the Machines" and "The Matrix: Reloaded". We will soon been wasting money in order to see the next one, "The Matrix: Revolutions".

These movies make me think a lot.

Already, in real life, we are seeing man's rapid progress in creating robots and forms of A.I. (Artificial Intelligence). The USAF has already using planes the don't need a pilot in the cockpit (the pilot is on the ground). The RAH-66 Comanche of the US Army is designed to almost handle itself (easier to fly).

Not only that, Japan has already created robots that not only walk like us humans, but can almost think a human. Scary thought, huh?

With all these Man vs. Machine movies coming around, it makes us all think. If machines were to advance rapidly, which scenario would most likely happen? The Terminator scenario or the Matrix scenario?

I hope this topic doesn't start a flare up.

[Fozzer]

I'll go for Terminator... ...!
Hoovering my carpet, washing my pants and socks, mowing the grass on my lawn, doing my shopping, etc..... ...!

...Ah'll be back again tomorrow... ...

LOL...!

Cheers all..
Paul.
(England)

[ozzy72]

I'm pretty sure that unless an almost 'infinite' power source is found to run such machines (like say, Data from Star Trek), they would never be a threat.

Although, technically, the machines could prove more powerful and, even from a tactical point of view, smarter, they would always be limited by the power source that they need to run. That way Humans will always have the upper hand and be able to control them, even if they were to 'revolt' and try to take over.

Just flick the switch!

P.S. In order for such a thing, as demonstrated in these movies, to happen, the machines would have to 'exceed the sum of their programming' in order to 'make the decision' to revolt. This is not within the capabilities of a 'programable' machine. I'm also sure that if a machine was, eventually able to exceed it's program and learn, discern and WANT for itself, a failsafe would need to be built in. At least I would have to put one in if I was responsible.  ;D

[Jester]

I'm with brensec. I would offer this as well - human behavoir is completely unpredictable. This alone with play havoc in any attempted machine revolt. We often live and make choices by nothing more than instinct. It's hard to believe a machine could have a "gut" on which to base actions or choices.

Jes

[ozzy72]

I don't suppose any of you have heard of Asimovs Laws of Robotics? Laid down to prevent such happenings

Ozzy.

PS. Wouldn't mind that domestic cleaning robot thought Fozzer, I'm fed-up with housework!

[ozzy72]

Ozzy,

I know Azimov was a Sci-Fi writer and he had a few books which included 'Robot' themes. But I don't know what you're on about, no.  ;D  ???

[ozzy72]

He established these laws back in the 1940s, and they have been the theoretical basis of intelligent robotics since, so just for you Steve;

First Law:
A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

Second Law:
A robot must obey orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

Third Law:
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Mark

[Hagar]

He established these laws back in the 1940s, and they have been the theoretical basis of intelligent robotics since, so just for you Steve;

First Law:
A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

Second Law:
A robot must obey orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

Third Law:
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

Mark

All very nice in an ideal world. Not everyone takes any notice of laws. Governments, even so-called respectable ones, are the main culprits in this respect. I don't trust any of 'em.

[Fozzer]

Fourth Law:
errr...errr...
...beep...beep...memory overload...forgotten the first three...Destroy...Destroy... ...!

LOL...LOL...LOL...!

Cheers all... ...!
Paul....come on Terminator, get your pinny on. Time to cook my dinner... ..!
(England).

[ozzy72]

Agreed Doug, not everyone does respect these laws, especially Fozzer who seems to be trying to impose some sort of male chauvanist stereotype onto a Terminator

Mark

[Fozzer]

....Fozzer seems to be trying to impose some sort of male chauvanist stereotype onto a Terminator

Mark

Hi Mark..!
You havent seen him with a frock, handbag, and high-heeled shoes yet... ...!
We are partying tonight after "he?" has cooked my dinner... ...!

LOL...LOL...LOL... ...!

Cheers mate...
Paul..."Terminator..you haven't learned how to put that lipstick on properly yet...."
(England)

[ozzy72]

Fozzer, err have you taken your medication? I mean finding anything that looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger attractive worries me deeply..... Or you've been at the Scrumpy again

[Fozzer]

Fozzer, err have you taken your medication? I mean finding anything that looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger attractive worries me deeply..... Or you've been at the Scrumpy again

Nah...!
It's just the idea of robots doing the every-day things in life for me... ...!
..(with certain exceptions, of course)... ...!

LOL...LOL...LOL...!

Cheers mate...!
Paul...."Terminator...ironing time!..."...
(England)

[Katahu]

Man, so many replies in a short time. Hehe.

Those laws have a good point. However, we so-called violent humans have a nasty habit of ignoring laws.

I downloaded a QuickTime video of the Animatrix long ago (140MB through a 56K connection ).

In the video, the narrator (shown as a ditigal, female file holder) mentioned this:

"In the Beginning, there was man. And for a time, it was good. But man's so-called civil societies soon fell victim to vanity and corruption.

"Then man made the machine in his own liking (image). Thus did man become the architecht of his own demise. The machines worked tirelessly to do man's bidding.

"However, it did not take long before seeds of decent took root. However loyal and pure, the machines earned no respect from their masters, these strange and multiplying mammals."

This little video of the Animatrix was titled "The Second Renaissance: Part 1" I haven't been able to download the second part (155MB).

What kind of message do you think this brings to you?

Architect of his own demise
Seeds of decent
And so on.

[Fozzer]

....What kind of message do you think this brings to you?

...ALWAYS be nice to your washing machine,
..and keep a wary eye out for any unruly behavour...
It is quite possible that the front loader door will suddenly open and devour you.. ...!

"Architect of his own demise"...someone who sits on the end of a tree branch while sawing it off... ...!

LOL...LOL...LOL...!

Cheers all... ...!
Paul.
(England).