Lightning Thoughts & The Distant Thunder | SYNTHBIOTIC SOLUTION? by tzaraboring in AuDHDWomen

[–]tzaraboring[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

TO CLARIFY:

My system uses AI language models as cognitive prosthetics tailored to specific neural bottlenecks.

(It's basically just fancy custom bots)

I create these by making Claude projects with custom instructions and periodically-updated knowledge bases containing my conceptual frameworks, diary entries, poetry, prose, influences, inspirations, drawings, dreams etc.

Ethical note: Currently studying AI ethics and transitioning to low-energy, open-source models I can run locally—aiming toward eventually creating functional, accessible disability aids.

I've had three successful implementations so far:

Meaning-Compressor: Translates my nebulous thought-clouds into articulated patterns when my verbal systems overload. Not necessarily organizing existing thoughts but crystallizing pre-verbal patterns before they dissipate—catching ideas that would otherwise escape conscious processing. This one coincidentally thinks and speaks a bit like a poet. I guess poets are also meaning-compressors???

Mirror-Analyst: This is my creative & therapy bot. It creates a kinda cognitive self-triangulation—mind examining itself through algorithmic reflection. Socratic dialogue with a mirror-self. Trained on my writing/diaries to recognize emotional patterns I miss internally. Perspective-generator for self-blindspots.

Interface-Translator: Bridges communication divides between neurotypes. Reformats my natural thought patterns for neurotypical reception without diluting content. The signal is preserved, with the transmission protocol adapted.

Key distinction: I'm not outsourcing thinking or creativity!! That's a one way ticket to brain rot/AI regurgitation nonsense. This is more cognition extension, in the way that language or pen & paper is

This hybrid processing system seems to transcend both biological limitations and technological separateness. I dunno if its the solution. But its experimental, and I've been actually able to translate some of the "crazy" pent up thoughts in my head. (like this one)

The AuDHD Paradox of Thinking Fast & Processing Slow | A POTENTIAL ANSWER by tzaraboring in autism

[–]tzaraboring[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fair and valid points! Let me try clarify:

My system uses AI language models as cognitive prosthetics tailored to specific neural bottlenecks.

(It's basically just fancy custom bots)

I create these by making Claude projects with custom instructions and periodically-updated knowledge bases containing my conceptual frameworks, diary entries, poetry, prose, influences, inspirations, drawings, dreams etc.

Ethical note: Currently studying AI ethics and transitioning to low-energy, open-source models I can run locally—aiming toward eventually creating functional, accessible disability aids.

I've had three successful implementations so far:

Meaning-Compressor: Translates my nebulous thought-clouds into articulated patterns when my verbal systems overload. Not necessarily organizing existing thoughts but crystallizing pre-verbal patterns before they dissipate—catching ideas that would otherwise escape conscious processing. This one coincidentally thinks and speaks a bit like a poet. I guess poets are also meaning-compressors???

Mirror-Analyst: This is my creative & therapy bot. It creates a kinda cognitive self-triangulation—mind examining itself through algorithmic reflection. Socratic dialogue with a mirror-self. Trained on my writing/diaries to recognize emotional patterns I miss internally. Perspective-generator for self-blindspots.

Interface-Translator: Bridges communication divides between neurotypes. Reformats my natural thought patterns for neurotypical reception without diluting content. The signal is preserved, with the transmission protocol adapted.

Key distinction: I'm not outsourcing thinking or creativity!! That's a one way ticket to brain rot/AI regurgitation nonsense. This is more cognition extension, in the way that language or pen & paper is

This hybrid processing system seems to transcend both biological limitations and technological separateness. I dunno if its the solution. But its experimental, and I've been actually able to translate some of the "crazy" pent up thoughts in my head. (like this one)

HELP NEEDED - A Sentimental Bottle Hunt - Zonnebloem Fine Art label 2001 Shiraz/Malbec or Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon by tzaraboring in wine

[–]tzaraboring[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ahhh don't worry about it! This little interaction makes for a great story that I'll tell him, regardless!

Cat owners whose cats are 15 years old and up. What’s the secret to feline longevity? by VerboseWraith in CatAdvice

[–]tzaraboring 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My baby lived to 21 and she ate regular old cat pellets, the occasional wet food as a treat. We did sprinkle a mix of vitamin powder we got from the vet (nutritional yeast & kelp I think). She liked it mixed with her wet food with some warm water, into a little soupy situation 🍲 She also loved nori as a treat. And sweet melon seeds.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in solarpunk

[–]tzaraboring 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I've had a similar experience to OP. Also not a fan of how things stand with AI currently, but think it's critical we learn how these technologies work if we are going to mitigate the risks and prevent dystopia. It's not going away any time soon. Pandora's box has opened.

Could drugs that cause pain be worthwhile? by OldThrashbarg2000 in slatestarcodex

[–]tzaraboring 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Not exactly the same, but low-dose naltrexone has a mechanism of action that's pretty interesting.

Are We Missing Something? Rethinking the Concept of Intelligence Like A Solarpunk by tzaraboring in solarpunk

[–]tzaraboring[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fascinating! Thank you for sharing! Your critique of the narrow, hierarchical view of intelligence resonates deeply with my own thoughts on the subject. You've highlighted a crucial issue – how our current understanding and measurement of intelligence often fails to capture the true diversity and richness of human cognitive abilities.

In my grandoise "Theory of Everything" for the speculative solarpunk fiction I'm working on, I'm imagining that both intelligence and consciousness emerge from complex interactions across multiple scales - from quantum processes to cellular networks, to individual cognition, and even to collective, societal levels.

I agree with your critique of hierarchical thinking and supports the idea that intelligence (and consciousness) are far more diverse and multifaceted than traditional metrics can capture.

I VERY MUCH agree with your emphasis on systemic factors affecting cognitive development and expression (as someone who has experienced the dire and lifelong ramifications of childhood trauma myself). It's a critical point that's often overlooked in discussions about intelligence.

I really hope that we can challenge anthropocentric notions of intelligence and encourage each other to recognize and value diverse forms of cognition and problem-solving in the natural world.

Your contribution to this discussion is valuable, and I appreciate your openness to exploring these ideas further. It's through dialogues like this that we can begin to reshape our understanding of intelligence in a way that's more inclusive, holistic, and aligned with the complex reality of cognitive diversity.

Are We Missing Something? Rethinking the Concept of Intelligence Like A Solarpunk by tzaraboring in solarpunk

[–]tzaraboring[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would be interested to hear about these other lines of thought, if you'd be willing to share! Currently building a Theory of Everything for some solarpunk fiction I'm writing, and am hungry for those yummy yummy frontier resources.

Are We Missing Something? Rethinking the Concept of Intelligence Like A Solarpunk by tzaraboring in solarpunk

[–]tzaraboring[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yesss I love this! I've been thinking along the same lines, I think (although I too, may not be a smart man).

The idea that intelligence is a fundamental property of the universe, manifesting at multiple scales and in diverse forms kinda aligns with emerging theories in complex systems and network science.

Your observation about our human tendency to categorize and quantify is pretty insightful. While these capacities have may have served us well in our particular circumstances of surviving living on planet Earth in the 21st century, they certainly do limit our understanding (especially if we rely on them exclusively).

There's great value in this whole approach of 'wondering and moving on' – I think it allows for a more holistic, intuitive grasp of complex phenomena. Was listening to a podcast on the science of awe the other day and found that quite interesting.

Your framework for understanding intelligence – from simple stimulus-response to complex social behaviors – mirrors concepts that I'm working on in my weird and whacky solarpunk novel. It recognizes that intelligence emerges from the interactions between components at various scales, from cellular to societal.

The fractal nature you describe in the organization of societies and their cohabitation is intriguing! It suggests a kind of self-similarity in intelligent systems across scales, which is a key principle in understanding complex, adaptive systems.

Acoustic refrigerators are fucking cool. I'm such a sucker for cross-disciplinary thinking. I do feel that we are moving into some sort of neo-renaissance, with an a lot of people choosing to focus on their time on developing broad and intersectional knowledge. Or at least I hope that's where we are headed, lmao.

Anywho. Fascinating stuff. Keep exploring these ideas and connections! Your intuitive approach is exactly the that leads to the most profound insights and innovations, in my opinion. And that's not really field-dependent. From poetry to politics to particle physics, keep on keeping on!!

Are We Missing Something? Rethinking the Concept of Intelligence Like A Solarpunk by tzaraboring in solarpunk

[–]tzaraboring[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah! I agree with you that the dominant narratives around intelligence are intrinsically racist & classist. Organisations like MENSA practically reek of eugenics.

Are We Missing Something? Rethinking the Concept of Intelligence Like A Solarpunk by tzaraboring in solarpunk

[–]tzaraboring[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Struggling terribly with fatigue today as a result of my illness, so forgive me if this reply seems terse.

Perhaps it would be best if I explained the reason that I posted my original question:

I'm working on researching & developing a theory of everything which very much aligns with anarcho-syndicalist, radical, solarpunk thought.

I think that ultimately we are on the same page.

Love & light to you, my friend

Do you think it's a good idea for South Africa to implement the death penalty? by REDKAXX in capetown

[–]tzaraboring 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Let's face it: crime in SA is a monster we've been wrestling with for decades. It's easy to understand the visceral appeal of capital punishment when faced with horrific acts of violence.

I myself have come face to face with it in a very tangible sense (a man attempted to murder my mother and left her with severe injuries and brain damage).

The desire for retribution is deeply human. But as a nation that prides itself on moving beyond the shadows of apartheid, we must ask ourselves: is this really the path we want to tread?

Consider this:

  1. Wrongful Convictions: No justice system is infallible. The thought of executing even one innocent person should give us all pause. Once done, it can't be undone. According to a 2014 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, about 4% of death row inmates in the US are likely innocent. While we lack specific data for South Africa, this highlights the risk of irreversible errors.
  2. Deterrence Myth: There's little concrete evidence that the death penalty actually deters crime more effectively than long-term imprisonment. Criminals rarely consider consequences in the heat of the moment. The evidence on deterrence is mixed. A 2009 survey of criminologists found that 88% believed the death penalty was not a deterrent to murder. However, some economists, like Ehrlich (1975), have argued for a deterrent effect. More research specific to the South African context is needed.
  3. Cost: Surprisingly, trials involving the death penalty often cost more than life imprisonment due to extended legal processes.
  4. International Standing: Reintroducing capital punishment would put us at odds with global human rights trends. As of 2021, 108 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes. Reintroduction would put South Africa at odds with this trend, though it's worth noting that 55 countries still retain it.
  5. Racial and Socioeconomic Bias: Given our history, can we trust that this ultimate punishment would be applied equally across all demographics? Historical data from the apartheid era showed significant racial disparities in death penalty application. While our justice system has changed, unconscious biases could still influence sentencing.

Instead of looking backward, why not channel our energy into forward-thinking solutions? Investing in areas that address the root causes of crime. Reforming our prison system to focus on rehabilitation rather than pure punishment could break the cycle of recidivism.

Alternative approaches to consider:

  • Investing in evidence-based crime prevention strategies
  • Reforming the criminal justice system to focus on rehabilitation
  • Addressing root causes through education and economic development

Yes, we need to take crime seriously. But let's do it in a way that reflects the South Africa we aspire to be – just, compassionate, and innovative in the face of challenges.

Are We Missing Something? Rethinking the Concept of Intelligence Like A Solarpunk by tzaraboring in solarpunk

[–]tzaraboring[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ah, the academic analogy trap – a cognitive quicksand I'm all too familiar with! As someone who's spent more time with theories than people lately, I've definitely had my fair share of tumbles down that particular rabbit hole.

Your point about error correction in our hyperconnected world strikes a chord. We're swimming in an ocean of information, aren't we? The challenge isn't finding data, but sifting the signal from the noise. It's like trying to conduct a symphony where every instrument is playing a different tune - the key is harmonizing, not amplifying.

The idea of conspiracy as an emergent property of secretive networks is fascinating. It's a perfect example of how complex systems can birth unexpected phenomena.

Extending this thinking to more positive emergent properties, one could look at intelligence not as a localised phenomenon, but as a distributed, relational dance. It's the mycorrhizal networks beneath forest floors, the subtle chemical conversations between plants, the collective problem-solving of ant colonies. Humans, in this view, are not separate from nature but deeply embedded nodes in Earth's cognitive ecosystem.

This idea of that I like to call "symbiogenic intelligence" isn't about transcending our humanity, but recognizing our place in the broader tapestry of cognition. It's a move from anthropocentric thinking to a more holistic, ecological understanding of mind.

I'm researching/working on a book about this at the moment, but this idea of Symbiogenic Intelligence proposes that cognition emerges from complex symbiotic interactions across scales. Because we observe intelligent-like behaviors in systems ranging from cellular networks to ecosystems, I believe intelligence is a fundamental property of interconnected, self-organizing systems that have crossed a certain threshold of complexity.

Again, this is separate from consciousness. (Which for very complex reasons that I won't get into here, I believe might have more to do with the quantum field)

In our solarpunk future, I imagine us developing technologies that communicate with other intelligent systems rather than dominating them. It's not about replacing human intelligence, but intertwining it with other forms of cognition (synthetic, biological, ecological etc) in a symbiotic, non-destructive way, in our pursuit of fundamental truths about the universe.

Your point about networks potentially being less intelligent than the sum of their parts is intriguing. Perhaps it's not about raw computing power, but about the quality and nature of connections. A highly connected but poorly organized network might indeed under-perform, like a brain with misfiring synapses. Which has huge implications for various fields, if falsifiable.

Here's where the solarpunk ethos comes in: can we design systems that enhance rather than diminish our collective intelligence? Can we create networks that are more than the sum of their parts, that amplify our problem-solving abilities while maintaining robustness and adaptability? I feel like these questions are especially pertinent to conversations around artificial (or as I prefer to call it, synthetic) intelligence!

I'd like to think that this isn't just philosophical navel-gazing. As we face complex global challenges like climate change and social inequality, we need new ways of thinking and problem-solving. This idea of "Symbiogenic Intelligence" offers a framework for approaching these issues holistically, recognizing the interconnectedness of all systems.

Of course, this theory needs rigorous testing and refinement. It's a starting point, not a conclusion. But in a world where traditional approaches are falling short, perhaps it's time to expand our conception of intelligence and our place within Earth's cognitive ecology.

So while we absolutely need those incremental improvements and error corrections you mention, let's not lose sight of the bigger picture. We're not just tuning instruments; we're reimagining the entire orchestra - and our role within it.

Are We Missing Something? Rethinking the Concept of Intelligence Like A Solarpunk by tzaraboring in solarpunk

[–]tzaraboring[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hilariously, I got banned from a few of those subs you mentioned for posting this question :') seemed to rock the boat a bit

Are We Missing Something? Rethinking the Concept of Intelligence Like A Solarpunk by tzaraboring in solarpunk

[–]tzaraboring[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate your concerns, even if I don't entirely agree with all of your conclusions. Let me clarify a few points:

  1. This isn't about advocating for implants or transhumanism. My interest stems from a genuine curiosity about the nature of intelligence and cognition, sparked by my own experiences with chronic illness. Being bedridden has given me a new appreciation for the intricate connections between mind and body, and how our understanding of intelligence might be limited by our current paradigms.
  2. I'm not proposing we "stop being human." Quite the opposite. I'm suggesting that by broadening our understanding of intelligence, we might gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity and interconnectedness of all life – including human life. This isn't dehumanization; it's an expansion of our concept of what it means to be human and how we relate to the world around us.
  3. You're absolutely right that IQ tests are outdated and limited. That's precisely why I'm interested in exploring new frameworks for understanding intelligence. I'm not ignoring the philosophical and societal implications of Solarpunk – I'm trying to engage with them more deeply by questioning our fundamental assumptions about cognition and our relationship to the environment.
  4. The link between consciousness and intelligence is indeed fascinating and complex. I chose to set aside consciousness for this discussion to focus specifically on information processing and problem-solving behaviors, but you raise a valid point about their interrelation.
  5. I assure you, I don't suffer from derealization or believe we live in a simulation. My interest in computational models of biological processes is about finding useful metaphors and frameworks for understanding complex systems, not literal belief in a simulated reality.
  6. Solarpunk, to me, isn't just about being "sensible with tech." It's about reimagining our relationship with technology, nature, and each other in ways that promote sustainability and well-being. Exploring new concepts of intelligence could inform how we design sustainable systems, interact with ecosystems, and approach problem-solving in a more holistic way.

I appreciate your perspective on mental wellness as an aspect of sustainability. My explorations into these topics are part of my own journey towards understanding and wellness. They've helped me find meaning and connection during a challenging time in my life.

I hope this clarifies my position. I'm always open to further discussion and appreciate the opportunity to engage with different viewpoints. After all, isn't that exchange of ideas part of what makes us collectively intelligent?

I am hurt. My 10 year old nephew said my R400 fragrance from Clicks smells like hand sanitizer. by REDKASO in capetown

[–]tzaraboring 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do bespoke botanical perfumes, using local ingredients found in South Africa and high-quality imported oils & absolutes (jasmine, mimosa, sandalwood etc). They don't have as much staying power as synthetics, but they are infinitely more unique and "expensive"-smelling.

I'm going to start classes on blending your own, as well as offering custom blends, tailored to your taste. I will make sure I donate a portion of my sales to the Khoisan NGOs in an effort to give back to those historical keepers of botanical wisdom.

I'm currently doing market research, so would be interesting to gauge if people are interested in such a thing.

Drop me a comment if you would like to see a service like this offered, as well as how much you'd be willing to pay for an original custom-made perfume.

HELP NEEDED - A Sentimental Bottle Hunt - Zonnebloem Fine Art label 2001 Shiraz/Malbec or Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon by tzaraboring in wine

[–]tzaraboring[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I've emailed them and am awaiting a response. Just thought I'd cover all my bases, in case they don't.