I have a theological question. Annoying lady on the podcast says she subscribes to the Jewish idea of the soul, nefesh, which is about man's interaction with his community and God.

Does anyone here understand nefesh, especially from her PoV, enough to be able to explain to me why one's social and religious interactions define a soul?

Also, she seemed clear that humanity at large is scared of artificial intelligence. Is this true, you think? I know people here might be too geeky to fully participate in that fear (or geeky enough that they've gone 360 and have an informed fear). Or does it just make good sci fi stories?

Anyone else watch O'Reilly getting reamed last night on Letterman? I think my favorite part is when Dave says "I believe 60% of what you say is crap." (Though personally I think that's a very conservative estimate.)

Did anyone else read the NHC's discussion releases for entertainment? Mostly they are pretty dry, but there was one storm that refused to die that had a couple of them sounding like they were kinda losing their shit in exasperation. It was funny.

I'm finagled my dad a poster of this [link] ,which he'd recently admired.

I'm trying to track down this poster for my Bears-fan dad, who was complaining on Christmas that he lost his years ago. I'll put a bid on it this weekend (after payday)--I hope it doesn't get too expensive!

Anyone else watch O'Reilly getting reamed last night on Letterman? I think my favorite part is when Dave says "I believe 60% of what you say is crap." (Though personally I think that's a very conservative estimate.)

I've just seen the replay on the net. Tis a thing of beauty.

Oops. The boss here just asked if I have enough to do. I said I really would if people would get back to me.

Woah -- the lunchtime boredom x-post!

Also, she seemed clear that humanity at large is scared of artificial intelligence. Is this true, you think? I know people here might be too geeky to fully participate in that fear (or geeky enough that they've gone 360 and have an informed fear). Or does it just make good sci fi stories?

I wonder how much of the general population considers AI nonfiction enough to be worth fearing. I'd guess relatively little.

I think people often find non-human things acting human creepy - which is one way to look at AI. Isn't it a little weird when Tivo knows what you like to watch, even though you know how it learns? And weren't we talking about Uncanny Valley and Dakota Fanning here (or somewhere) recently?

Isn't it a little weird when Tivo knows what you like to watch, even though you know how it learns?

To me, no. Because I enjoy reading up on the algorithm. I have no idea what it's like to not be like that, so I'm curious.

I took an AI course in college. Didn't do very well. It was about game playing applications, and that irritated me. Chess playing programs are not intelligent. They are problem solving in a really small domain with clear and unbreakable rules. Intelligence isn't knowing every possible outcome (and the path there) and moving towards the one you like best. It's almost the opposite of that.

Then I get confused about intelligence v. sentience and then I'm all dizzy.

What AI do we have around us anyway? What learns and plans? Apart from the Roomba (or does that not plan?).

I think the reason that AI makes good horror movies is NSM because I'm scared of someone creating something better than me, but I'd be scared of someone playing god with so little experience on their resume -- it's not about getting it right -- the horror is when they get it wrong.

Then again, maybe we're a god's horror story right now.

Oops. The boss here just asked if I have enough to do. I said I really would if people would get back to me.

Could be worse. Currently I'm watching the work pile up in my inbox with mounting horror.