[MD] Quantum computing

[Ham Priday]

Greetings, Magnus, Hi All --

Now that the "clouds" have rolled by, and the cyclists presumably with them,
Magnus 'the computer guy' has invited a discussion that he apparently feels
is relevant to the MoQ:

> When quantum computers become more common,
> I think they will start provoking philosophical questions
> in much the same lines we're doing here.

> Anyway, as some of you might remember, I'm a
> computer guy and I just saw that a new quantum
> computer is being demoed today. I'm afraid I was
> unable to attend the demo physically, but their site is
> very interesting, and pretty MoQ:ish actually.

No wonder Platt remarked that this would "find a lot of takers"!  Why should
a computer demo be "MoQ:ish"?   Is Pirsig's philosophy built on cybernetic
information?   And by what qualifications are philosophical questions the
domain of a quantum computer?  This reminds me of Ray Kurzwell's recent
prediction of the coming 'Singularity', glowingly describing it as "...an
epoch of such rapid and profound technological change that we will see the
merging of biological and nonbiological intelligence."

It disturbs me that MoQers have been taken in by this New Age nonsense.  If
Pirsig's philosophy fosters the notion that computers will inevitably
replace human beings as the source of philosophical questions, there's a
glitch in the MoQ that needs fixing.  Perhaps Bo has found it and is
attempting to fix it by readjusting the Intellectual Level.

[Bo]:
> Is it "computer awareness" you hint to? That the machines
> themselves will start asking philosophical questions?
> I am as little endeared by this as always and - again - I
> "accuse" you (all) of not understanding the MOQ.
> Consciousness along with mind has no place in it. Human
> beings are what they self-congratulatorily call "self-
> conscious" because they have arrived at the level that
> has the conscious subject as different from the
> unconscious object as its value. ...
>
> I'm tired of all this new age - new physics - that supposedly
> has bridged the mind/matter chasm, and those who believe
> that the MOQ is more of the same. ...

Personally, I think it's the tangle of levels and patterns that has led this
group astray.  When we seek understanding in the evolution of biological
organisms and cultural trends, we lose our individual focus and get caught
up in miscellaneous influences that are several times removed from the core
issues of philosophy.  Digital technology is one of them, by the way: it's
now fashionable to reduce all knowledge to numbers and digits and call it
"intellectual understanding".

It seems to me that Bo is right that individual consciousness and mind are
slighted by the MoQ, and that the level heirarchy usurps what is arguably
the most significant phenomenon of existence -- its conscious awareness.
What good are Quality, Values and Experience if they are not realized as
proprietary awareness?  Certainly this must concern Pirsig's followers.
Will Magnus suggest that his quantum computer has better questions to pose?
No doubt a computer would resolve Bo's dilemma by positing itself as the
intellectual locus of the universe.

Seriously, folks, Being Aware is not only what existence and its values are
about, it is primary to everything we know about the physical world. And the
only beings on planet Earth with intellectual awareness are human beings.
To dismiss that fact, or fail to acknowledge it, misconstrues the purpose of
philosophy.

Nothing personal against you, Magnus, and I'm glad you're back with us.
This is only one contrarian's "take" on your topic.

Good luck and best regards,
Ham