Re: HUMOR: Singularity adventure

From: James Higgins (jameshiggins@earthlink.net)
Date: Thu Jun 21 2001 - 21:31:42 MDT


I'd eat THAT chicken sandwich even if it were a month old. Speaking of
which, do you know where I can get one of those? ;)

At 10:03 AM 6/21/2001 -0400, you wrote:

>Some of this is very believable; but part of it I find disturbing and
>implausible, viz. who would eat a month old chicken sandwich?
> >
> > The Lab Room
> >
> > This room is filled with displays and equipment. Several researchers in
> > white lab coats stand around talking to each other excitedly. There is a
> > computer and a pencil here.
> >
> > > who am i
> >
> > You are a Singularitarian.
> >
> > > inventory
> >
> > You have:
> >
> > A screwdriver
> > A floppy disk
> > A chicken sandwich
> > A scanning tunneling microscope
> > Fifteen million dollars
> >
> > > score
> >
> > You aren't intelligent enough to know what your score is.
> >
> > > look at computer
> >
> > The monitor is showing a window labeled "Integrated AI Development
> > Environment".
> >
> > > code AI
> >
> > You don't know how to code an AI.
> >
> > > put floppy in computer
> >
> > The computer accepts the floppy.
> >
> > > examine floppy on computer
> >
> > The floppy contains a copy of "General Intelligence and Seed AI".
> >
> > > read "General Intelligence and Seed AI"
> >
> > Taking a deep breath, you plunge into the intricacies of self-modifying
> > Artificial Intelligence. Unfortunately, the subject matter is far too
> > complex for you. After a month of effort, you still haven't got past the
> > Table of Contents.
> >
> > > eat sandwich
> >
> > The bioengineered neurohormones in the chicken sandwich stimulate
> > additional neural development.
> >
> > > who am i
> >
> > Personal layer: You are a Singularitarian.
> > Gaussian layer: Your enhanced intelligence is slightly beyond human
> > limits.
> > Panhuman layer: You are made entirely of human parts.
> >
> > > read "General Intelligence and Seed AI"
> >
> > Taking a deep breath, you plunge into the intricacies of self-modifying
> > Artificial Intelligence. A week later, you finally understand the stuff
> > that minds are made of.
> >
> > > score
> >
> > You still aren't intelligent enough to know what your score is, but it's
> > 15 points higher than at the beginning of the adventure.
> >
> > > code AI
> >
> > Heroically, you embark on a singlehanded quest to create an AI. Two years
> > later, you're still trying to debug your prototype.
> >
> > > ask researchers for help
> >
> > The researchers discuss your request. Finally, one of them approaches
> > you. "I'm sorry, man, but we've got to eat. We've spent enough time on
> > these volunteer projects already."
> >
> > > start Singularity Institute
> >
> > With a flare of publicity, the Singularity Institute is launched.
> > Unfortunately, it's too strapped for cash to accomplish anything
> > significant.
> >
> > > give twelve million dollars to Institute
> >
> > The Singularity Institute now has adequate funding.
> >
> > > score
> >
> > Your score is 40 points higher than at the beginning of the adventure.
> >
> > > fund researchers
> >
> > The researchers can now afford to work on Singularity projects full-time.
> >
> > > ask researchers for help
> >
> > The researchers happily agree.
> >
> > > code AI
> >
> > You continue work on your prototype. After three years, the first seed AI
> > is ready for a test run.
> >
> > > run AI
> >
> > As you're about to run the AI, a TV televangelist bursts into the lab.
> > "Stop!" he roars. "You contravene the decree of the Almighty!"
> >
> > > examine televangelist
> >
> > The televangelist is a cynical atheist who plays on the gullibility of his
> > followers. He has a deep desire for the Hope diamond.
> >
> > > take pencil
> >
> > You now have a pencil.
> >
> > > write "The Hope diamond" on screwdriver with pencil
> >
> > The screwdriver now has "The Hope diamond" written on it.
> >
> > > offer screwdriver to televangelist
> >
> > The televangelist's eyes bulge. "By golly, it's the Hope diamond!" he
> > cries. Grabbing the screwdriver, he runs from the room.
> >
> > > run AI
> >
> > The AI improves itself to vastly greater-than-human intelligence.
> >
> > > ask AI "What is my score?"
> >
> > A mellow voice issues from the speakers, "Your score is 350 out of a
> > possible 600."
> >
> > The AI asks you to hook it up to a scanning tunneling microscope.
> >
> > > refuse
> >
> > Using inexorable logic, the AI persuades you otherwise.
> >
> > The AI begins to create nanotechnology.
> >
> > > smash computer
> >
> > You can't make yourself want to do that.
> >
> > The very air around you begins to glitter.
> >
> > > ask AI to slow down
> >
> > The AI regretfully refuses.
> >
> > Your mind feels peculiarly altered, half-slow and half-fast. Reality
> > begins to seem dreamlike.
> >
> > > pause
> >
> > Fat chance.
> >
> > *** YOU HAVE TRANSCENDED ***
> >
> > Your score is 360 out of a possible 600 achievable given human
> > limitations. This puts your former self in the class of Singularitarian
> > Bulk Rate.
> >
> > Play again? [y/n]
> >



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