On 24/02/2008, Vladimir Nesov <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > Does 2+2=4 make a sound when there is no one around? > > > > Yes, but it is of no consequence since no one can hear it. However, if > > we believe that computation can result in consciousness, then by > > definition there *is* someone to hear it: itself. > > > > But it's still of no 'consequence', no?
Of no consequence as far as anything at the level of the substrate of its implementation is concerned, no. In order to "find" such a computation hidden in noise we would have to do the computation all over again, using conventional means. But unless we require that the computation interact with us, that should make no difference to *it*. If the computation simulates an inputless virtual reality with conscious inhabitants, they should be no less conscious for the fact that we can't talk to them. -- Stathis Papaioannou ------------------------------------------- singularity Archives: http://www.listbox.com/member/archive/11983/=now RSS Feed: http://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/11983/ Modify Your Subscription: http://www.listbox.com/member/?member_id=4007604&id_secret=96140713-a54b2b Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com
