Re: HUMOR: Singularity adventure

From: Mark Walker (tap@cgocable.net)
Date: Thu Jun 21 2001 - 08:03:50 MDT


Some of this is very believable; but part of it I find disturbing and
implausible, viz. who would eat a month old chicken sandwich?
>
> The Lab Room
>
> This room is filled with displays and equipment. Several researchers in
> white lab coats stand around talking to each other excitedly. There is a
> computer and a pencil here.
>
> > who am i
>
> You are a Singularitarian.
>
> > inventory
>
> You have:
>
> A screwdriver
> A floppy disk
> A chicken sandwich
> A scanning tunneling microscope
> Fifteen million dollars
>
> > score
>
> You aren't intelligent enough to know what your score is.
>
> > look at computer
>
> The monitor is showing a window labeled "Integrated AI Development
> Environment".
>
> > code AI
>
> You don't know how to code an AI.
>
> > put floppy in computer
>
> The computer accepts the floppy.
>
> > examine floppy on computer
>
> The floppy contains a copy of "General Intelligence and Seed AI".
>
> > read "General Intelligence and Seed AI"
>
> Taking a deep breath, you plunge into the intricacies of self-modifying
> Artificial Intelligence. Unfortunately, the subject matter is far too
> complex for you. After a month of effort, you still haven't got past the
> Table of Contents.
>
> > eat sandwich
>
> The bioengineered neurohormones in the chicken sandwich stimulate
> additional neural development.
>
> > who am i
>
> Personal layer: You are a Singularitarian.
> Gaussian layer: Your enhanced intelligence is slightly beyond human
> limits.
> Panhuman layer: You are made entirely of human parts.
>
> > read "General Intelligence and Seed AI"
>
> Taking a deep breath, you plunge into the intricacies of self-modifying
> Artificial Intelligence. A week later, you finally understand the stuff
> that minds are made of.
>
> > score
>
> You still aren't intelligent enough to know what your score is, but it's
> 15 points higher than at the beginning of the adventure.
>
> > code AI
>
> Heroically, you embark on a singlehanded quest to create an AI. Two years
> later, you're still trying to debug your prototype.
>
> > ask researchers for help
>
> The researchers discuss your request. Finally, one of them approaches
> you. "I'm sorry, man, but we've got to eat. We've spent enough time on
> these volunteer projects already."
>
> > start Singularity Institute
>
> With a flare of publicity, the Singularity Institute is launched.
> Unfortunately, it's too strapped for cash to accomplish anything
> significant.
>
> > give twelve million dollars to Institute
>
> The Singularity Institute now has adequate funding.
>
> > score
>
> Your score is 40 points higher than at the beginning of the adventure.
>
> > fund researchers
>
> The researchers can now afford to work on Singularity projects full-time.
>
> > ask researchers for help
>
> The researchers happily agree.
>
> > code AI
>
> You continue work on your prototype. After three years, the first seed AI
> is ready for a test run.
>
> > run AI
>
> As you're about to run the AI, a TV televangelist bursts into the lab.
> "Stop!" he roars. "You contravene the decree of the Almighty!"
>
> > examine televangelist
>
> The televangelist is a cynical atheist who plays on the gullibility of his
> followers. He has a deep desire for the Hope diamond.
>
> > take pencil
>
> You now have a pencil.
>
> > write "The Hope diamond" on screwdriver with pencil
>
> The screwdriver now has "The Hope diamond" written on it.
>
> > offer screwdriver to televangelist
>
> The televangelist's eyes bulge. "By golly, it's the Hope diamond!" he
> cries. Grabbing the screwdriver, he runs from the room.
>
> > run AI
>
> The AI improves itself to vastly greater-than-human intelligence.
>
> > ask AI "What is my score?"
>
> A mellow voice issues from the speakers, "Your score is 350 out of a
> possible 600."
>
> The AI asks you to hook it up to a scanning tunneling microscope.
>
> > refuse
>
> Using inexorable logic, the AI persuades you otherwise.
>
> The AI begins to create nanotechnology.
>
> > smash computer
>
> You can't make yourself want to do that.
>
> The very air around you begins to glitter.
>
> > ask AI to slow down
>
> The AI regretfully refuses.
>
> Your mind feels peculiarly altered, half-slow and half-fast. Reality
> begins to seem dreamlike.
>
> > pause
>
> Fat chance.
>
> *** YOU HAVE TRANSCENDED ***
>
> Your score is 360 out of a possible 600 achievable given human
> limitations. This puts your former self in the class of Singularitarian
> Bulk Rate.
>
> Play again? [y/n]
>



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