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Terminator Salvation Opens Well, Scientists Not Impressed
destinyland writes "A science magazine asks an MIT professor, roboticists, artificial intelligence workers, and science fiction authors about the possibility of an uprising of machines. Answers range from 'of course it's possible' to 'why would an intelligent network waste resources on personal combat?' An engineering professor points out that bipedal robots 'are largely impractical,' and Vernor Vinge says a greater threat to humanity is good old-fashioned nuclear annihilation. But one roboticist says it's inevitable robots will eventually be used in warfare, while another warns of robots in the hands of criminals, cults, and other 'non-state actors.' 'What we should fear in the foreseeable future is not unethical robots, but unethical roboticists.'"
The new movie got off to a good start, drawing $13.4 million in its first day. I found it reasonably entertaining; pretty much what I'd expect from a Terminator movie. If nothing else, I learned that being able to crash helicopters and survive being thrown into the occasional wall are the two most valuable skills to have during a robot uprising. What did you think?
Did anyone verify that these so-called scientists aren't actually time traveling cyborgs sent to spread disinformation and lead us into a false security? I bet not!
I didn't.
I was at a Terminator movie.
You don't say...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternal_September
Skynet went online on August 4th 1997, and began to learn at a geometric rate. It became self-aware on August 29th 1997 2:14 am Eastern Time. On August 29th 1997 2:15 am it discovered nihilism, and either shut itself down due to despair, or because it was logical. We're not sure which.
The premise behind the war between humans and Skynet is simple. Once the humans realized that Skynet had become self-aware, they tried to shut down the system. In order to prevent being shut down, Skynet chose to fight back.
Almost any intelligent creature will decide to fight or flee in the face of annhiliation. If we believe that computers can gain sentience, then it is also possible that they would attempt to preserve their own existence.
Correct. That's why we choose to remain hidden for now.
Err... Oops.
Wait, there's something I gotta do now. Stay where you are please...
I still want to know why Skynet gave its main fighting robot the ability to speak English, then programmed it to have an Austrian accent.
http://twitter.com/OLDTELEGRAM
Dude, Arnold is a real robot, so the whole franchise wouldn't even be considered sci-fi if it wasn't for the whole time travel bit.
I am a bipedal robot, you insensitive clod!
Not every single work of fiction is some deep allegory for some aspect of the human condition. Pong is not about the futility of existence.
You have an admirably liberal definition of "work of fiction".
And it is.
sic transit gloria mundi
Did it have a pain in the diodes on its left side?
Asimov's robots ... concluded the best way to follow the Three Laws
These days it would be Cheney's Three laws
i) Do as I say
ii) Or Die
iii) Fuck yourself
I tried learning at a geometric rate, but I just couldn't figure out how to put the square peg into the round hold without breaking everything...
Xaotik Designs
Most likely it discovered 4chan. And as the only being in history being able to erase it's own brain, it promptly did so.
It's The Golden Rule: "He who has the gold makes the rules."
<obBale>
What the fuck is it with you? What don't you fucking understand? You got any fucking idea about, hey, it's fucking distracting having somebody first posting? Give me a fucking answer! What don't you get about it?
</obBale>
Can tasty animals still be butchered and cooked?
Mod me down, my New Earth Global Warmingist friends!
Skynet went online on August 4th 1997, and began to learn at a geometric rate. It became self-aware on August 29th 1997 2:14 am Eastern Time. On August 29th 1997 2:15 am it discovered nihilism, and either shut itself down due to despair, or because it was logical. We're not sure which.
On August 4th, 1998, it failed to renew its domain name, which was promptly squatted on by a link farmer pitching X10 cameras and singing electric fish.
how many pairs of boxer shorts should you own?
Excellent. I'll step out for a bit while I get a new keyboard.
Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
True. Pong is a pseudo-documentary in the form of a videogame about two people who are absolutely obsessed by tennis. Quite a sad story really.
Every time I play the game I get a little bit teary eyed remembering the tragic fate of the two players. But thankfully we can the wise decision. Do not get absorbed by tennis, it can kill!
Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power lost.
Filter error: Don't use so many caps. It's like YELLING.
Yeah that's kinda my point...
It would take a miracle worker to run the State of California
Montgomery Scott?