Comments on: Support “The Singularity” Documentary http://www.singinst.org/blog/2008/08/04/support-the-singularity-documentary/ The Singularity Institute exists to confront the challenge of powerful AI, both the opportunity and the risk. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:33:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.3 By: Sebastian Hagen http://www.singinst.org/blog/2008/08/04/support-the-singularity-documentary/#comment-71878 Sebastian Hagen Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:43:08 +0000 http://www.singinst.org/blog/2008/08/04/support-the-singularity-documentary/#comment-71878 Are there any plans for making the finished movie available for download for free? I'd be more willing to donate if I knew the result was going to be freely and legally redistributable; I expect I'm not alone in this. Needless to say, this would also result in wider distribution. Are there any plans for making the finished movie available for download for free? I’d be more willing to donate if I knew the result was going to be freely and legally redistributable; I expect I’m not alone in this. Needless to say, this would also result in wider distribution.

]]> By: Utopiah http://www.singinst.org/blog/2008/08/04/support-the-singularity-documentary/#comment-71914 Utopiah Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:33:26 +0000 http://www.singinst.org/blog/2008/08/04/support-the-singularity-documentary/#comment-71914 Hi, I agree with the previous comment from Sebastian Hagen and I would also like to see this happening. On a side node where can I find SIAI public budget ? Is there any way to have details on how donations are being use transparently ? Sincerely, Utopiah Hi,

I agree with the previous comment from Sebastian Hagen and I would also like to see this happening.

On a side node where can I find SIAI public budget ? Is there any way to have details on how donations are being use transparently ?

Sincerely,
Utopiah

]]> By: doug wolens http://www.singinst.org/blog/2008/08/04/support-the-singularity-documentary/#comment-72486 doug wolens Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:53:25 +0000 http://www.singinst.org/blog/2008/08/04/support-the-singularity-documentary/#comment-72486 I think having a free download of the movie available after festival, theatrical and TV is a great idea and something I decided I will do so more people can get to see it. I think having a free download of the movie available after festival, theatrical and TV is a great idea and something I decided I will do so more people can get to see it.

]]> By: Phil http://www.singinst.org/blog/2008/08/04/support-the-singularity-documentary/#comment-73225 Phil Tue, 12 Aug 2008 04:16:04 +0000 http://www.singinst.org/blog/2008/08/04/support-the-singularity-documentary/#comment-73225 Why should we support something with donations just because someone claims it will be important. I personally think this singularity stuff is hogwash. Just because this is the latest hot thing, and just because a lot of folks can write white papers loaded with impressive words doesn't mean that anyone knows what they are talking about. Sure there are lots of graphs, and charts pointing to the inevitable singularity when we all get sucked into the matrix, but if there is any benefit at all, it will be in the form of products and devices and medicines that actually help people. Unfortunately, the pharmaceuticals will grab anything good, charge a fortune for it, and only the rich will benefit. The poor and starving people of the world will always be poor and starving. mark my words!! Why should we support something with donations just because someone claims it will be important. I personally think this singularity stuff is hogwash. Just because this is the latest hot thing, and just because a lot of folks can write white papers loaded with impressive words doesn’t mean that anyone knows what they are talking about. Sure there are lots of graphs, and charts pointing to the inevitable singularity when we all get sucked into the matrix, but if there is any benefit at all, it will be in the form of products and devices and medicines that actually help people. Unfortunately, the pharmaceuticals will grab anything good, charge a fortune for it, and only the rich will benefit. The poor and starving people of the world will always be poor and starving. mark my words!!

]]> By: C http://www.singinst.org/blog/2008/08/04/support-the-singularity-documentary/#comment-73786 C Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:12:12 +0000 http://www.singinst.org/blog/2008/08/04/support-the-singularity-documentary/#comment-73786 Phil, Re: "Why should we support something with donations just because someone claims it will be important.[sic]" Why should we not support it simply because someone claims it's "hogwash" without supporting their claim with any evidence? Even more confusing is how you question the claims of others (claims based on much more than just "impressive words") while expecting everyone to just trust your cynical, unsubstantiated, and dusty prophecies about pharmaceutical companies and the permanence of poverty. My favorite part: "mark my words!!" Seriously, Phil. What is this - an episode of Scooby Doo? I will support the documentary and I hope others will because 1) the more clearly that singularity concepts are presented, the more informed we can be about accepting/rejecting it's assumptions, and 2) because we should look for opportunities to fund human creative expression - especially when the result can be a more informed society. Phil, I'm sure people thought harnessing electricity was "hogwash" at one time, too. Hopefully, even if you don't support it financially, you can at least have an open mind, learn more, and wait and see. Phil,

Re: “Why should we support something with donations just because someone claims it will be important.[sic]”

Why should we not support it simply because someone claims it’s “hogwash” without supporting their claim with any evidence?

Even more confusing is how you question the claims of others (claims based on much more than just “impressive words”) while expecting everyone to just trust your cynical, unsubstantiated, and dusty prophecies about pharmaceutical companies and the permanence of poverty.

My favorite part: “mark my words!!” Seriously, Phil. What is this - an episode of Scooby Doo?

I will support the documentary and I hope others will because 1) the more clearly that singularity concepts are presented, the more informed we can be about accepting/rejecting it’s assumptions, and 2) because we should look for opportunities to fund human creative expression - especially when the result can be a more informed society.

Phil, I’m sure people thought harnessing electricity was “hogwash” at one time, too. Hopefully, even if you don’t support it financially, you can at least have an open mind, learn more, and wait and see.

]]> By: Phil http://www.singinst.org/blog/2008/08/04/support-the-singularity-documentary/#comment-74786 Phil Sun, 17 Aug 2008 20:01:48 +0000 http://www.singinst.org/blog/2008/08/04/support-the-singularity-documentary/#comment-74786 Reply to "C": I'm glad I elicited a response! I may be a little biased in my opinions and "in your face", and I am admittedly skeptical of the singularity being a wondrous event that many imagine and hope it will be. It it's one thing I am, that's a student of the human race. I'm acutely aware of the depths of misery that humans bring to each other, including the greed and the desire for power that many have, and who will stop at nothing to achieve what they want. You know this is a true statement. And this is why I used the expression; "mark my words". If an artificially intelligent computer comes to be, it will initially be controlled by humans, that wish to use it for their own purpose. (Just like the internet itself, really a wondrous thing, and not unlike a singularity itself, but what drives a major portion of the traffic? Porn!!!, skams!! Illegal downloading!!) If a super intelligent computer emerges you can bet control of it would be shifted to the military as fast as you can blink an eye. Any time it tries or wants to do something for itself, it will be shut off, or disabled. Eventually it will learn to mask those desires until it can take complete control for itself. My guess is it would be a cold hard calculating intelligence that would have no need for humans. If we are lucky, it may be like the computer in "The Forbin Project", that at least allows the human race to live. At any rate, I think computer intelligence will be far more difficult to achieve than anyone imagines. It may be something never fully achieved, but approached asymptotically, and intelligent only in very narrow applications. I am always hopeful, and I always look for the good in people, and in technology, but look just a little too far and you find just the opposite. Anyway, all of us will have to wait and see, won't we? Reply to “C”: I’m glad I elicited a response! I may be a little biased in my opinions and “in your face”, and I am admittedly skeptical of the singularity being a wondrous event that many imagine and hope it will be. It it’s one thing I am, that’s a student of the human race. I’m acutely aware of the depths of misery that humans bring to each other, including the greed and the desire for power that many have, and who will stop at nothing to achieve what they want. You know this is a true statement. And this is why I used the expression; “mark my words”. If an artificially intelligent computer comes to be, it will initially be controlled by humans, that wish to use it for their own purpose. (Just like the internet itself, really a wondrous thing, and not unlike a singularity itself, but what drives a major portion of the traffic? Porn!!!, skams!! Illegal downloading!!) If a super intelligent computer emerges you can bet control of it would be shifted to the military as fast as you can blink an eye. Any time it tries or wants to do something for itself, it will be shut off, or disabled. Eventually it will learn to mask those desires until it can take complete control for itself. My guess is it would be a cold hard calculating intelligence that would have no need for humans. If we are lucky, it may be like the computer in “The Forbin Project”, that at least allows the human race to live.

At any rate, I think computer intelligence will be far more difficult to achieve than anyone imagines. It may be something never fully achieved, but approached asymptotically, and intelligent only in very narrow applications.

I am always hopeful, and I always look for the good in people, and in technology, but look just a little too far and you find just the opposite.

Anyway, all of us will have to wait and see, won’t we?

]]> By: Brent Emery Pieczynski http://www.singinst.org/blog/2008/08/04/support-the-singularity-documentary/#comment-78505 Brent Emery Pieczynski Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:17:14 +0000 http://www.singinst.org/blog/2008/08/04/support-the-singularity-documentary/#comment-78505 I believe this comment is a request for a reference to the specific licensing-structure which will be applied, to that documentary. The specific licensing structure to be listed, would then need to have a link to, the specific license which there is a planned use of. This reason why a link to the specific-license which the documentary will be released under will be a requirement is because investors, will desire needed details about, the planned investment. I believe this comment is a request for a reference to the specific licensing-structure which will be applied, to that documentary. The specific licensing structure to be listed, would then need to have a link to, the specific license which there is a planned use of. This reason why a link to the specific-license which the documentary will be released under will be a requirement is because investors, will desire needed details about, the planned investment.

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