In which we are joined by Ezri of Swampside Chats, to continue our discussion of "Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgement to Calculation" by Joseph Weizenbaum. In this episode we cover the first chapter of the book. Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgment to Calculation (1976) by Joseph Weizenbaum displays the author's ambivalence towards computer technology and lays out the case that while artificial intelligence may be possible, we should never allow computers to make important decisions because computers will always lack human qualities such as compassion and wisdom. Weizenbaum makes the crucial distinction between deciding and choosing. Deciding is a computational activity, something that can ultimately be programmed. It is the capacity to choose that ultimately makes one a human being. Choice, however, is the product of judgment, not calculation. Comprehensive human judgment is able to include non-mathematical factors such as emotions. Judgment can compare apples and oranges, and can do so without quantifying each fruit type and then reductively quantifying each to factors necessary for mathematical comparison. If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon. Links: Computer Power and Human Reason on Wikipedia Weizenbaum's Nightmares, on The Guardian Inside the Very Human Origin of the Term “Artificial Intelligence” General Intellect Unit on iTunes http://generalintellectunit.net Support the show on Patreon https://twitter.com/giunitpod General Intellect Unit on Facebook General Intellect Unit on archive.org Emancipation Network

Fresh slop dropped, they finally arrived at the interesting part meow-floppy

  • plinky [he/him]@hexbear.netOPEnglish
    2·
    10 months ago

    Interesting discussion about clock driving scientific perceptions, somewhat similar to graeber point about early philosphers describing money and primary substances. Abolish clocks meow-anarchist

    But also i didn’t get exactly their point about computer not saving ussr, I always took computer problem there as lack of initiative (rather a sign than a cause), not that its existence would solve central plan. And also it wasn’t unsaveable at any point, it was broken by sheer gorby-sad. But their points about computerization being sometimes solution in search of problem and simultaneosly stopping other solutions is troubling tbh