I like to read Smithsonian magazine. They have historical stuff and science stuff as well as some choice current event related stuff. The issue I focused on is about evolution. This is another of my favorite topics.
From where I sit human evolution is based on transportation. We need to get around. People who stay at home don’t evolve pretty much. That’s why most historical events seem to involve things like “migration,” “invasion,” and “conquest.” Everyone goes someplace and annoys the heck out of the people already there. Some of us call it “vacation.”
That’s why we read things that purport to talk about “rapid transit.”
Our species wants to go places. We’re now talking about going to Mars. I have a list of folks to send on the first trip, if you want it.
Well, it turns out the people already at our destinations came from someplace else. Our alleged “Native Americans” seem to have come from Asia back before they invented arrow heads. The two events might be related. Nobody’s living where their ancient ancestors evolved.
Anyway, the Smithsonian blurb says that evolution is random and without purpose. Many people believe things happen for a reason. A show on the Discovery Channel will say something like, “the bluebird developed a tough bill in order to pulverize the mealworms it eats.” Well, that’s backwards. Mealworms have plenty of good taste and nutrition if you’re a bluebird so the genes that randomly mutated to improve the bluebird bill were beneficial, therefore stuck around. It could have gone the other way for example the flimsy billed “maroonbird” went extinct. See the difference? The genes that cause blue feathers probably have nothing to do with worms. But that’s harder to say when you’re making a TeeVee show. By the way, ask someone else about the good taste of mealworms because I don’t like ‘em.
Then along comes a bunch of computer and artificial intelligence experts and they have a big meeting. The report from the meeting will come out “later this year.” In the mean time reporters are asking them what they did. Reporters can’t wait for the meeting report because it would require reading and they don’t have time for that.
Computer people are a fun bunch. So they tell the reporters that we need to be scared because computers will soon be smarter than us. Ever wait in line at the market because the scanner can’t read the barcode on spaghetti? This stuff about computers being smarter than us is a long way off.
But let’s explore it anyway. Why not?
The particular item I was reading pointed out that this one robotic computer had the ability to find an electrical outlet and plug itself in when its batteries got low. Is that really an example of intelligence? When I’m hungry I eat. It’s not that smart.
Then they suggested that computer research and development should be regulated in such a way that prevents going down the path toward independent thought. Pass a law that prevents a computer from making decisions. Make it illegal for a robot to imagine things. Imprison science fiction authors who write about machines that think.
My point here is that computers are probably already smarter than that reporter.
OK, maybe that’s not my point.
Here’s my point: it’s all about intention. Motivation. Goals. End Results. Consequences. Why on earth would a computer (robot) want to be in charge of a human? If there were no free range humans around then robots would soon run out of electricity. All you’d need to do is put a plastic cap on the electric outlet.
And what’re the robots’ goals of commanding the human species other than electricity? Do robots really have ambitions? Do they think running things means they can have all the Sweet Baby Ray’s barbeque sauce they want? That’s why I’d want to be in charge. But now you can get it at Costco so all I need is a Debit Card – I don’t need to be in charge.
Human evolution is a random and very slow process. Our DNA mutates in little insignificant steps over a fairly long timeframe. People in the time of Caesar were pretty much the same as we are now except they had completely different imaginary fears.
Now think of the concept of humans evolving the capability to worry about robots that can plan takeovers of various levels of government. What we should be afraid of are reporters that don’t know when they’re being fooled.
For extra credit tell me what I’m REALLY talking about.
Al
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Controversial Opinions on Tranist and Stuff
Our local pals, Sound Transit, are committed to setting down the “East Link” segment of the light rail project on the I-90 Bridge reversible high occupancy lanes (HOV). In the morning busses and car pools now use it west bound and in the evening it’s the other way. Also those alleged residents of Mercer Island can use it even if it’s only one person. Maybe I should get a Mercer Island address. I wouldn’t actually live on that land fill, but the address would get me out of tickets, maybe.
Here’s the thing: The HOV lanes are just the right size for a rail line from Seattle to Bellevue (and on to Redmond…). In the Sound Transit scheme they don’t share the road with cars like the South Lake Union Streetcar (SLUT). This is because the planned train frequency and speed don’t make for polite sharing. Thus when the tracks go in we won’t be able to drive the HOV lanes anymore. Worse, during construction they’ll probably close a couple of regular lanes due to “safety” issues.
But this is probably a good thing in the long run. By the time we get wise and understand the true situation relative to gas, pollution, congestion, and other economic realities we won’t be driving as much. Having a commuter train every seven minutes might be better than hiking across the bridge.
Oh, and don’t plan to push that grocery cart all the way home. Bellevue will charge you $117. And if they find a Safeway cart on the street they’ll charge Safeway $100. So here’s what we’ll see pretty soon – rental carts. You go to the store and slip a $20 into a machine and rent a shopping cart. Once you’re done and turn it back in you get your $20 back. If Safeway finds its making more than the amount it spends on fines each month they may lower that fee. Or they may start low at 50 cents and raise it until they find a balance. Either way the city makes potentially $217 each time you get caught.
Grocery carts aren’t allowed on HOV lanes so I guess that was off subject.
A group of Eastsiders has decided to file a suit to stop Sound Transit from using the I-90 HOV lanes. It’s a big issue to some folks. Earlier this summer we got a preview when the HOV lanes were closed to replace the expansion joints. That put all the busses and car pools into the General Purpose lanes. What a nightmare. It took almost 5 extra minutes to get to work. The biggest issue was confusion.
In July they closed the General Purpose lanes so they could replace those expansion joints. Now that actually had an impact. But boy are those new joints spiffy.
The law suit over use of the HOV lanes is based on the idea that the highway was paid for with gas tax money and we have a law that says you can’t use gas tax money for anything but roads. This might exclude railroads. Also crossroads, inroads, Hampton Roads, and Pike Place Market. Obviously.
The main point of the lawsuit may have nothing to do with gas tax in that the people who are filing it have always opposed transit. So there you go. But another group might file a counter suit claiming delay of the East Link might economically depress Redmond. And what about a group that thinks the SR 520 Bridge is a much better alternative for transit since it’s about to be replaced anyway. It would make sense to build a complete bridge that does both rather than retool an existing bridge.
Here’s a design proposal. Double deck. The top deck would be a four lane General Purpose highway. The lower deck would have two light rail lanes and two HOV lanes equaling the width of the upper deck. Maybe make both decks six lanes. Maybe the lower deck would be under water so the light rail passengers could admire the fishes. Then four or five other groups would sue for various reasons.
Transportation improvements depend on who has the best lawyers. Since most of the people who make laws are lawyers we can see how things got like this. Next time you vote keep this in mind. And Tim Eyman would probably find a way to file an initiative and make more money.
Another controversial issue is that people reading internet stuff are too easily influenced. My report is obviously off in some kind of wilderness. Right at the top it states accuracy is optional. My point is we should view all forwarded emails in the same light. We’ve seen the ones about health care, birth certificates, enemies lists, and so on. None of them are true. They’re jokes. Here’s an important clue: if it says you should forward it - ITS A JOKE! So have a good laugh and forget it. Or, if you don’t like the subject matter just delete it. But whatever you do don’t embarrass yourself in public by quoting an internet email joke as if you actually believe it.
Advice from Lake Boren is free – you’re welcome.
Al
Here’s the thing: The HOV lanes are just the right size for a rail line from Seattle to Bellevue (and on to Redmond…). In the Sound Transit scheme they don’t share the road with cars like the South Lake Union Streetcar (SLUT). This is because the planned train frequency and speed don’t make for polite sharing. Thus when the tracks go in we won’t be able to drive the HOV lanes anymore. Worse, during construction they’ll probably close a couple of regular lanes due to “safety” issues.
But this is probably a good thing in the long run. By the time we get wise and understand the true situation relative to gas, pollution, congestion, and other economic realities we won’t be driving as much. Having a commuter train every seven minutes might be better than hiking across the bridge.
Oh, and don’t plan to push that grocery cart all the way home. Bellevue will charge you $117. And if they find a Safeway cart on the street they’ll charge Safeway $100. So here’s what we’ll see pretty soon – rental carts. You go to the store and slip a $20 into a machine and rent a shopping cart. Once you’re done and turn it back in you get your $20 back. If Safeway finds its making more than the amount it spends on fines each month they may lower that fee. Or they may start low at 50 cents and raise it until they find a balance. Either way the city makes potentially $217 each time you get caught.
Grocery carts aren’t allowed on HOV lanes so I guess that was off subject.
A group of Eastsiders has decided to file a suit to stop Sound Transit from using the I-90 HOV lanes. It’s a big issue to some folks. Earlier this summer we got a preview when the HOV lanes were closed to replace the expansion joints. That put all the busses and car pools into the General Purpose lanes. What a nightmare. It took almost 5 extra minutes to get to work. The biggest issue was confusion.
In July they closed the General Purpose lanes so they could replace those expansion joints. Now that actually had an impact. But boy are those new joints spiffy.
The law suit over use of the HOV lanes is based on the idea that the highway was paid for with gas tax money and we have a law that says you can’t use gas tax money for anything but roads. This might exclude railroads. Also crossroads, inroads, Hampton Roads, and Pike Place Market. Obviously.
The main point of the lawsuit may have nothing to do with gas tax in that the people who are filing it have always opposed transit. So there you go. But another group might file a counter suit claiming delay of the East Link might economically depress Redmond. And what about a group that thinks the SR 520 Bridge is a much better alternative for transit since it’s about to be replaced anyway. It would make sense to build a complete bridge that does both rather than retool an existing bridge.
Here’s a design proposal. Double deck. The top deck would be a four lane General Purpose highway. The lower deck would have two light rail lanes and two HOV lanes equaling the width of the upper deck. Maybe make both decks six lanes. Maybe the lower deck would be under water so the light rail passengers could admire the fishes. Then four or five other groups would sue for various reasons.
Transportation improvements depend on who has the best lawyers. Since most of the people who make laws are lawyers we can see how things got like this. Next time you vote keep this in mind. And Tim Eyman would probably find a way to file an initiative and make more money.
Another controversial issue is that people reading internet stuff are too easily influenced. My report is obviously off in some kind of wilderness. Right at the top it states accuracy is optional. My point is we should view all forwarded emails in the same light. We’ve seen the ones about health care, birth certificates, enemies lists, and so on. None of them are true. They’re jokes. Here’s an important clue: if it says you should forward it - ITS A JOKE! So have a good laugh and forget it. Or, if you don’t like the subject matter just delete it. But whatever you do don’t embarrass yourself in public by quoting an internet email joke as if you actually believe it.
Advice from Lake Boren is free – you’re welcome.
Al
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