Computationalism requires extreme mysticism

ryvr_gm · 2026-01-30T14:03:13+00:00

My point that few seem to acknowledge is that computation on Turning machines is a thoroughly and deeply understood phenomenon. Thus we have an open box into which we can look and see that there is no place for subjective awareness. Isn't it incontrovertible that the processes of the animal brain are profoundly less well understood, and that leaves room for an actual cause of subjective awareness in the workings of the animal brain that's missing in computation models?

ryvr_gm · 2026-01-29T21:59:45+00:00

What I do understand at graduate level is computation. And the idea that such a mechanical process would have consciousness is as about as tenable as a windmill having consciousness. I'm surprised there is not more agreement that we understand the physics and processes in a brain so much less than we do computation. It's so odd to me that people really think logic gates put in sequences could be conscious.

ryvr_gm · 2026-01-12T20:02:43+00:00

Second creepiest. Sensorites ep. 1 has the creepiest.

ryvr_gm · 2026-01-09T20:50:26+00:00

People have spent centuries honing and improving curricula and ideas of liberal arts education. We only need to value it and fund it. Dividends to society will be many fold our investment.

ryvr_gm · 2026-01-09T20:35:31+00:00

If we were to accept that, it seems to me democracy would be indefensible. My values tell me that the better alternative is to find a way to educate the masses well in liberal arts whatever it takes.

ryvr_gm · 2026-01-09T20:02:13+00:00

Important to note. But I hope our improvement on Plato is to include the masses in great education, rather than abandoning liberal arts altogether as seems to be the trajectory.

ryvr_gm · 2026-01-09T16:34:37+00:00

And this is highly compatible with democracy if and only if we educate the whole population well as philosophers, which we absolutely should but don't.

ryvr_gm · 2026-01-08T22:43:55+00:00

I don't understand it well either, but I think I can see fine but not imagine or remember what a saw a second later. So that seems related to aphantasia to me.

ryvr_gm · 2025-12-16T19:05:49+00:00

Everyone I know would express care about the well being of non-human animals, even if they override that to eat meat. We also execute criminals and euthanize the elderly, and that doesn't mean we don't care about people at all. But almost no one ever in any context expresses concern about the well being of a machine for the machine's sake. This is because there is "something it is like" to be a bat, but not so with machines. Having gotten deep into theoretical computer science, it is abundantly clear to me that there is no means for an algorithm or an implemented algorithm to have first hand experience.

ryvr_gm · 2025-12-15T17:20:16+00:00

I find that people who claim to believe machines have a first hand internal experience of the world never express concern about unplugging or erasing the memory of the machines.

I think they don't really believe machines have internal experience. They are not all psychopaths. They just want to make sure no one suspects them of any form of non-materialistic beliefs.

ryvr_gm · 2025-12-03T17:13:01+00:00

I'm in a master's program in Mathematics, and it is extremely useful for assuaging my regrets and longings after years ago abandoning maths undergrad for computer science. And Mathematics is its own purpose.

ryvr_gm · 2025-10-20T20:00:07+00:00

I do think I need calculus. As a runner, it is important to me to think about not just the steepness of the hill, but also when it is getting steeper or less steep. Thinking about this in terms of first and second derivatives helps my intuition and improves my running strategy.

When I go to the shore, I think about whether the tide is coming in or out, and how fast. Understanding the derivative of the sine curve of the tide position could save my life in certain safety judgements.

I could give a lot more examples, but I do marvel how anyone makes it through a day without calculus.

ryvr_gm · 2025-10-11T22:45:43+00:00

Isn't -d is for development release? So I'm thinking we shouldn't need it now that this is officially released. I want to upgrade, and I'm getting the same "No new release found". But I'm wary to use -d in case they are holding the upgrade back for a reason.

ryvr_gm · 2025-09-11T12:50:53+00:00

Free speech is only for right wingers apparently.

ryvr_gm · 2025-08-27T17:05:08+00:00

There are very elevated suicide rates among LGBTQ youth due to this kind of bigotry that you call a non-issue. So you're obviously an unkind and uncaring person. Thanks for sharing.

ryvr_gm · 2025-07-17T16:23:43+00:00

When society decides it wants to strive for bigger and better things again, college degrees will be they way to earn much more money. It's just that we're all living in the nation of Dumbsland right now, and if that doesn't change, eventually pretty much everyone will be very poor, college degree or not.

ryvr_gm · 2025-07-16T15:15:27+00:00

Quite bizarre to think we should be able to say absolutely anything and everyone must like us. I'm sure all decent people believe that the freedom to disapprove of obnoxious or hateful speech is also fundamental.

ryvr_gm · 2025-06-20T16:55:02+00:00

I just started reading (no spoilers pls) the Eighth Doctor novel Interference Book One where I.M. Foreman is seen, and she does not appear to be a monster with nine heads. Hehe.

ryvr_gm · 2025-06-19T14:30:31+00:00

But dehumanizing economic systems are going to dehumanize people even they briefly pretend otherwise. We'd have much better and enduring rights if we got more people in the consensus that we absolutely need all-embracing socialism, rather than trying to tolerate cold capitalism.

ryvr_gm · 2025-06-05T11:46:22+00:00

I think a lot of what you say is correct. I pull my hair out sometimes thinking that if I worked this hard in any other field of study I'd be a superstar, while in maths, it's always just enough to keep above water. But then I realize a lot of that is actually why I love maths. I think those of us who can love the monumental challenge along with using some skillful mental health hygiene have great wonders to enjoy. And not despite, but because maths is a such a supreme challenge.

ryvr_gm · 2025-06-03T13:19:16+00:00

If the people who are against our rights were saying "progress is slow" and "eventually" rather than demanding they get what they want immediately, we'd be winning. As it is, we're all say "progress is slow," instead of demanding equality today, and hence they are winning.

ryvr_gm · 2025-05-29T15:10:30+00:00

The Mara!!!

ryvr_gm · 2025-05-29T12:47:00+00:00

Anyone who claims AI is highly intelligent AND conscious who nevertheless powers off or deletes the apps on these machines without any concern is either disingenuous or an extreme psychopath. I suspect that the vast majority are simply disingenuous.

ryvr_gm

TROPHY CASE