[MD] Quantum computing

[Case]

So Ham,

You are prepared for the "what about intelligent aliens" trap. Nice work!

But let's review. Intelligent aliens about which there is not one scintilla
of evidence can join your anthropic club if they can pass your tests. But
machine intelligence which has sprung up within your life time and is
evolving faster than a fruit fly could never ever past your test?

You don't rule out the possibility of Human aliens? 

Please stop! The AIs seemed to want to pledge to our fraternity and you are
scaring them away.

Case


-----Original Message-----
From: moq_discuss-bounces at moqtalk.org
[mailto:moq_discuss-bounces at moqtalk.org] On Behalf Of Ham Priday
Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2007 4:38 AM
To: moq_discuss at moqtalk.org
Subject: Re: [MD] Quantum computing

Hi Jos --


> "The only beings on planet earth"
> Why insert that disclaimer?
>
> What do the "man is the measure" brigade make of
> any potential alien life that might exist then?

I qualified my "intellectual beings" as earthly for the very reason that
someone like you would want to pose this challenge.  Of course one can't
dismiss the possibility of intelligent life elsewhere, but the "anthropic
principle" need not be restricted to Homo-sapiens.  That is, if some
extra-terrestrial named 02 turned up with demonstrated value-sensibility and
cognizant awareness, I would have no hesitation about including him/her in
this category.

> Ok so it is perfectly valid to assert an anthropic principle
> and deny that there is any, but if there is (and you seem to
> want to allow this), can it by your definition be conscious
> and/or capable of intellectual thought? Is an alien an animal
> or a human?

Not having seen or known an alien, how would I know?  I suppose an IQ test
and some background on the creature's cultural history would be possible
means of measuring the degree of comprehension, creativity, and moral
judgment -- provided, of course, that communication is possible.  I
certainly wouldn't rule out the possibility of human aliens, but I'm
confident that the biologists and bio-physicists could determine the proper
genus and species.

Judging by your questions, I assume you don't regard the human species as
unique or special among life forms.  I find that rather disheartening.

Regards,
Ham

moq_discuss mailing list
Listinfo, Unsubscribing etc.
http://lists.moqtalk.org/listinfo.cgi/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org
Archives:
http://lists.moqtalk.org/pipermail/moq_discuss-moqtalk.org/
http://moq.org.uk/pipermail/moq_discuss_archive/