Digital Columbus

In the second chapter of Lanier's book, the focus is on the divide between virtual minds and human minds, the shrinking gap between them, and the impact of our fascination with them. Lanier cites the human fascination with consciousness that is not human and the way that a newly awakened consciousness would react to humanity. Though he does not deem them important enough to cite, there are enough Hollywood movies based off of this idea to show that this fascination extends beyond Silicon Valley philosophers and into the realm of the general public.

After reading this chapter, which is primarily focussed on the history of self-aware computing and the future of it, my thoughts turned to the way that we currently treat the machines that simplify our lives in so many ways. I have personally been witness to people actually physically hitting computers when they are not performing the way that the user expected them to. I found this interesting because it shows a lack of respect for tools. Some of it may be a function of the generation gap that still exists, with some people growing up with a mouse in their hands and others aching for the days of the slide rule. As the previous generation, who have not wholely accepted the presence of the computer in everything, passes away, the planet will be populated by those who have grown up using technology for nearly everything. It will be interesting to see if this generation will be as concerned with the possibility of a machine becoming self-aware as the previous one had been. Will the abuses of the current computer users be remembered by the intelligent machine?

This eventually led me to the concept of a post-colonial relationship between man and machine. The possiblity of a machine evolving to the point that it is not only self-aware, but aware enough to identify with predecessors of a more primitive type intrigues me. I look forward not so much to a future with a sentient robot to serve me, but instead one where machines have eveolved to the point of being able to create art. To see if another sentience would identify the same values as art would be fascinating.