Confronting Impossible Futures
Although we process information, we do not do it the way that computers do.” Even to ask the question, he argues, of “whether a computer has captured the essence of human reason is a diversion, if not a trap, because the real question — do humans understand the essence of humans? — cannot be answered or resolved by technology.”
Abeba Birhane • Fair Warning — Real Life
Contrast this situation to the “intuitive” understanding one is supposed to gain by playing with a Victor-style computer simulation. One might make “discoveries”, but one is never certain:
- Does this “discovery” apply to all parameter choices?
- What is the actual quantitative content of this discovery? If some relationship appears to hold — is this
Evan Miller • Don’t Kill Math: Comments on Bret Victor’s Scientific Agenda – Evan Miller
“If there’s a clear answer, AI can do it”
“Most of the time there is no clear answer”