[MD] Levels in electronic computers

[Andy Skelton]

John to Andy:
> Nice  post, Andy.  Thank god for fresh blood now and then, that isn't trying
> to sell something or promote wacko apocalyptic conspiracy theories.

I'm relieved to feel welcomed.

> I posited once, intelligence as the criterion for the organic level.  And
> part of this postulation defines intelligence as any pattern which exhibits
> rational (that is, self-interested) choice.

I don't like your definitions (organic presupposes intelligent,
rational = self-interested) but I appreciate you laying them out
early. From this I can understand your later statements. So thanks for
the primer on your terms. :)

> And since intellect is the uniquely defining aspect of humanity, wherever we
> find it in the universe, we know we have stumbled upon our moral brothers.

I don't know what you mean by any part of this. It sounds like you are
hedging your bets against your words being read by a hyperbelligerent
shade of the color blue. Does this mean that we each have a moral
companion in all intellectual beings and we should treat them as
brothers?

> Self-perpetuation is a pretty good definition too.  Reproduction baby.  It's
> what they teach in biology class and that might be a clue.
>
> But again, I can see Magnus AI, coming out as a one-off, never reproducing,
> and yet obtaining unto that blessed condition we deem Intelligence.
> Artificial intelligence equals artificial life.

Self-perpetuation does not imply reproduction. You show that you
understand this by making an example of non-reproducing AI. I think
you are being sloppy with the concept of equality. I think you mean
presuppose; to have as a prerequisite; take as a given. (Excuse me
while I fixate on defining terms. They are my only connection to you.
I don't talk this way in real life; it lacks backspace, a clipboard,
and handy dictionaries.)

> Your doing great.  I'm sort of arguing against, but you hold the orthodox
> view, my friend, and that's a good place to start.

Yet I don't see any disagreement except on our terms of expression. I
dislike your choice of words but since you took care to define them I
can decode your meaning and see that we agree on the matter at hand.

Andy