Thursday, October 8, 2009
Project Natal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDvHlwNvXaM
I'm really interested in the complexity of the character with whom the woman is interacting here. I heard this theory once, in a philosophy class, that could essentially render the idea behind The Matrix a very real possibility. I don't remember every intricate detail of the theory, but basically, the argument was that if we had the desire to, we could potentially create a computer that operated with the intellectual and emotional complexity of a single human brain within the next ten to twenty years. Now, as the capabilities of technology increase exponentially as time passes, we could create a computer that operates at the level of billions of human brains, given enough time. And if we were to start creating computers that operated at that level of intellect and emotion, we would have no choice but to question whether or not we, ourselves, are nothing more than the inner workings of an incredibly complex computer.
So what interests me about this character is his ability to react to the woman based on her body language, her tone of voice, etc. and act accordingly. At what point do we know that the fictional characters we create are as complex as we are? If we can legitimately interact with this character, and he can truly make those judgements that the creators are claiming he can make, what separates him from us other than the limits of our own perception?
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Very relevant question: At what point do we know that the fictional characters we create are as complex as we are? I think this is along the lines of Noah's lecture. Also, why create a character to interact with altogether, when we can just interact with each other? Is this any more gratifying? I absolutely do not think so.
ReplyDeleteThis is so weird. I don't understand why you would even skateboard inside if you were able to go outside and do it for real. Maybe if it's snowing.
ReplyDeleteThat theory is so interesting because it seems exactly like a bizzaro version of the garden of forking paths. Instead of considering the human as the hub of an exponential web of technology and information, and development, this theory almost inverts everything or internalizes it. The body becomes the host that only functions as a result of a exponential number of computer process. We lose control of ourselves to machines while living with this sort of illusion of human controlled interface.
ReplyDeleteI mean, does anyone think this is accurate - that this actually exists for a consumer. I feel like there are too many potential glitches for something like this to work/sell well. It's truly amazing but I don't think that each interaction will work as well as that demo did.
ReplyDeleteIf we can create a computer that has the exact capacity of a human brain do you think that one day people can clone themselves (in terms of thoughts) without having to go through the ethical dilemmas? Random thought...
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