NationStates Jolt Archive


The Future Is NOW

Desperate Measures
26-06-2006, 02:20
An "emotionally aware" computer being developed by British and American scientists will be able to read an individual's thoughts by analysing a combination of facial movements that represent underlying feelings.
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/766356

I, for one, am going to begin construction of my bunker. The rest of you can deal with emotionally aware killer robots.
The Atlantian islands
26-06-2006, 02:21
An "emotionally aware" computer being developed by British and American scientists will be able to read an individual's thoughts by analysing a combination of facial movements that represent underlying feelings.
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/766356

I, for one, am going to begin construction of my bunker. The rest of you can deal with emotionally aware killer robots.

Whats the point? Why dont they put all this funding into something actually useful? .....like more efficient ways to kill people.
Desperate Measures
26-06-2006, 02:22
Whats the point? Why dont they put all this funding into something actually useful? .....like more efficient ways to kill people.
You obviously missed the part about killer robots. Read between the lines, my friend.
Deep Kimchi
26-06-2006, 02:23
You obviously missed the part about killer robots. Read between the lines, my friend.

As long as the Cylons are hot looking blonde women, what's not to like?
Kroisistan
26-06-2006, 02:24
As long as the Cylons are hot looking blonde women, what's not to like?

You just earned 10 points for the BSG reference. 10 points at life.
NilbuDcom
26-06-2006, 02:25
If we love them they will kill for us
Mondoth
26-06-2006, 02:29
As long as the Cylons are hot looking blonde women, what's not to like?

I agree, but personally I prefer the hot little asian.
Kroisistan
26-06-2006, 02:33
As to the article itself, I'm not sure I like this. Anything along the lines of reading my mind doesn't get my ready support. In fact it makes me angry. And now that the machines can tell I'm angry, I'm going to get angrier, which the machines will sense, making me angrier still. What I'm getting at is

HULK SMASH!
http://www.comicquest.com/images/hulk.gif
Andaluciae
26-06-2006, 02:37
Well, our only hope seems to be to drink until we can't feel feelings any more, eh?
Desperate Measures
26-06-2006, 02:37
As to the article itself, I'm not sure I like this. Anything along the lines of reading my mind doesn't get my ready support. In fact it makes me angry. And now that the machines can tell I'm angry, I'm going to get angrier, which the machines will sense, making me angrier still. What I'm getting at is

HULK SMASH!
http://www.comicquest.com/images/hulk.gif
Little do you know that your computer is, even now, requesting back up.
Kecibukia
26-06-2006, 02:40
Oh, thank god. When I read the title, I assumed it was the group, NOW.
Eutrusca
26-06-2006, 02:40
An "emotionally aware" computer being developed by British and American scientists will be able to read an individual's thoughts by analysing a combination of facial movements that represent underlying feelings.
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/488120/766356

I, for one, am going to begin construction of my bunker. The rest of you can deal with emotionally aware killer robots.
The article points out that what the computer makes is little more than inferences based on body english. Not a matter for serious concern, IMHO.
[NS]Liasia
26-06-2006, 02:42
Go technology! Woo! The more the better, i say.
Desperate Measures
26-06-2006, 02:42
The article points out that what the computer makes is little more than inferences based on body english. Not a matter for serious concern, IMHO.
Who do you work for? IBM, Toshiba, Sony???
Texoma Land
26-06-2006, 02:47
Who do you work for? IBM, Toshiba, Sony???

Worse. He's with the millitary. :eek:
Desperate Measures
26-06-2006, 02:49
Worse. He's with the millitary. :eek:
Shit.
Bodies Without Organs
26-06-2006, 02:51
You obviously missed the part about killer robots. Read between the lines, my friend.

Be a darling and explain the connection to a poor fool like me, would you?
Mombo Mongo
26-06-2006, 02:52
This could be used for people without arms to use computers, I guess.



.....like more efficient ways to kill people.

Actually the US seems to be using new weapons in war as "experments".



Oh Crap (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8361811662480560988&q=star+wars+in+iraq)

Its 25 minutes long but some of it is really shocking.
Desperate Measures
26-06-2006, 02:53
Be a darling and explain the connection to a poor fool like me, would you?
Robots. Emotions. Computers. DEATH!!!!
Andaluciae
26-06-2006, 02:53
Worse. He's with the millitary. :eek:
Actually he's with Retirement, inc.

There's a reason we (reverently) call him Gramps.
Vetalia
26-06-2006, 02:54
The wonders of technology...hopefully, this is a step on the path to self-aware machines. That would be one of mankind's greatest accomplishments and an economic miracle.
Bodies Without Organs
26-06-2006, 02:55
This could be used for people without arms to use computers, I guess.

I believe aid for sufferers of autism and Asperger's is one of the prime applications they are looking into here.
Bodies Without Organs
26-06-2006, 02:57
Robots. Emotions. Computers. DEATH!!!!

Hmmm.

I'll try reading that again in case I missed something obvious...

Robots. Emotions. Computers. DEATH!!!!

Nope. Still not getting it.
Falhaar2
26-06-2006, 02:59
The wonders of technology...hopefully, this is a step on the path to self-aware machines. That would be one of mankind's greatest accomplishments and an economic miracle. I dunno. If we suceeded in constructing an artificial consciousness that was developed to the point of self-awareness wouldn't it be morally dubious to make it into an economic commodity?
Desperate Measures
26-06-2006, 02:59
Hmmm.

I'll try reading that again in case I missed something obvious...



Nope. Still not getting it.
http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/4405/jc6rg.jpg
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cobraislandtoys.com/gobot/rogunII-2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cobraislandtoys.com/gobot/rogunii.html&h=210&w=600&sz=28&hl=en&start=2&tbnid=NNppjd7wps0mSM:&tbnh=46&tbnw=133&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgobot%2Brifle%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff%26rls%3DDVXF,DVXF:2004-52,DVXF:en%26sa%3DN
http://tecfa.unige.ch/~nova/img/sigueX2sputnik.jpg

GET IT???
Bodies Without Organs
26-06-2006, 02:59
The wonders of technology...hopefully, this is a step on the path to self-aware machines. That would be one of mankind's greatest accomplishments and an economic miracle.

Accomplishment? Yes. Economic miracle? I wouldn't be so sure, as ethical questions regarding our responsibilities to any sel-aware machines remain to be discussed fully.

Would such self-aware entities be subject to ownership?
Would their existence be protected by law?
Would they be granted rights by the state?
...and such like.
Bodies Without Organs
26-06-2006, 03:02
http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/4405/jc6rg.jpg
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cobraislandtoys.com/gobot/rogunII-2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cobraislandtoys.com/gobot/rogunii.html&h=210&w=600&sz=28&hl=en&start=2&tbnid=NNppjd7wps0mSM:&tbnh=46&tbnw=133&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgobot%2Brifle%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff%26rls%3DDVXF,DVXF:2004-52,DVXF:en%26sa%3DN
http://tecfa.unige.ch/~nova/img/sigueX2sputnik.jpg

GET IT???

And the ability to tell the difference between someone feeling winsome and someone feeling ennui would benefit these mechanical projections of teenage masculinity how, exactly?
Vetalia
26-06-2006, 03:03
I dunno. If we suceeded in constructing an artificial consciousness that was developed to the point of self-awareness wouldn't it be morally dubious to make it into an economic commodity?

Yes, it would.

However, the economic benefits would come from the ability to create an abundant supply of additional skilled workers at will and in a fraction of the time it would take for the human population to expand to the same level. They wouldn't be slaves, they would likely be given the same protection under law as any sentient beings.
Desperate Measures
26-06-2006, 03:03
And the ability to tell the difference between someone feeling winsome and someone feeling ennui would benefit these mechanical projections of teenage masculinity how, exactly?
Your big words won't stop the killing machines!
Defiantland
26-06-2006, 03:07
Killing machines? More like loving machines! This will help us in developing love-bots that know the best time to get funky with us. That is, when our emotional state is [any of the above].
Vetalia
26-06-2006, 03:07
Your big words won't stop the killing machines!

Hey, Zapp Brannigan was able to stop the killbots so we should be able too as well!
Bodies Without Organs
26-06-2006, 03:07
However, the economic benefits would come from the ability to create an abundant supply of additional skilled workers at will and in a fraction of the time it would take for the human population to expand to the same level.

Is this not working under the unproven and unstated assumption that such self-aware machinic entities would be easily malleable and/or willing to submit to human rule?

It could very well be the case that they may have the self-awareness equivalent to a human, but the stubborness equivalent to a mule.
Fascist Dominion
26-06-2006, 03:08
I agree, but personally I prefer the hot little asian.
My thought exactly.;)
Desperate Measures
26-06-2006, 03:08
Hey, Zapp Brannigan was able to stop the killbots so we should be able too as well!
Brannigan is a man without equal.
Fascist Dominion
26-06-2006, 03:09
Hey, Zapp Brannigan was able to stop the killbots so we should be able too as well!
'Cause we're all Zapp Brannigan with -1 cockiness and +23 style.:cool:
Fascist Dominion
26-06-2006, 03:11
Brannigan is a man without equal.
Because even Zoidberg manages to be superior to him.:p
Vetalia
26-06-2006, 03:16
Is this not working under the unproven and unstated assumption that such self-aware machinic entities would be easily malleable and/or willing to submit to human rule?

Yes, but it also hinges on other concepts. A machine could be taught morality, or it could have such concepts programmed in to it when it is built. Also, the environment in which the software matures could affect its perceptions; it's possible that a self-aware machine might be "raised" by its creators, learning as it matures just like a human does.

In that case its personality and the decisions it makes later in life would depend on the environment it matures in, just like human development.

It could very well be the case that they may have the self-awareness equivalent to a human, but the stubborness equivalent to a mule.

Well, if they were truly self-aware it would depend a lot on the environment they are exposed to that determines their willingess to do things like work or research. Also, they would likely have to because their status as equals with humans would require them to work for their "sustenance" and pay for things just like anyone else.
Vetalia
26-06-2006, 03:19
Because even Zoidberg manages to be superior to him.:p

Even the Hedonism Bot is superior to Zapp...
Bodies Without Organs
26-06-2006, 03:30
Well, if they were truly self-aware it would depend a lot on the environment they are exposed to that determines their willingess to do things like work or research. Also, they would likely have to because their status as equals with humans would require them to work for their "sustenance" and pay for things just like anyone else.

So you believe they would also have a drive for self-preservation?
Vetalia
26-06-2006, 03:34
So you believe they would also have a drive for self-preservation?

Yes; aside from the fact that the original programming would be done by humans who possess the drive for self-preservation, it would likely be derived by logical examination early in the maturation of the self-aware machine.
Fascist Dominion
26-06-2006, 03:51
Even the Hedonism Bot is superior to Zapp...
This is true. In fact, EVERYONE is superior to Zapp.:rolleyes:
Mondoth
26-06-2006, 04:34
This could be used for people without arms to use computers, I guess.
Actually the US seems to be using new weapons in war as "experments".
Oh Crap (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8361811662480560988&q=star+wars+in+iraq)
Its 25 minutes long but some of it is really shocking.

I didn't watch the movie the whole way through, But I believe that this
http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/systems/thel.htm (Article out of date, but I'm to lazy to find a more recent one...)
is what is being referred to from the descriptions.
(Interestingly, there's no credible footage of the described damage. I can understand the lack of bodies, but the fised metal and what not described should be inclusion worthy.)
If the THEL is infact the culprit, it's neither an expirimental weapon, nor one that I would be at all shocked to learn had been heavily involved in operation Iraqi freedom. As it was previously deployed in operation Anaconda (Or whatever, that one where the U.S. raped Afgahnistan up the arse) and was widely publicized as being in limited service several years ago.