Thank you all for the informative replies, To clarify, when I said:
"I feel like my studies of theism/atheism, philosophy, psychology, politics, and the human equation have all lead me here." I was talking about my independent exploration of these topics through various books, videos, and online resources. So yes, I am more focused in humanities but I'd also want to be involved at a technical level. In high school I took two years of JAVA programming, it was both fun and easy for me. I was also part of the debate team and because of that I consider one of my biggest strengths to be critical thinking and conceptual analysis. In light of the responses I've gotten so far, here are a few questions I have: 1. In order to contribute at a technical level to the development of AGI would I do better getting a degree in something like Cognitive Sciences(which includes AI in the curriculum) or a more general Computer Science degree. 2. What is the day to day work for someone with a passion in AGI/singularity like? 3. How involved are people with educations in Neuroscience/Neuropsychology in this endeavor? 4. What kind of personality/strengths are ideal for a day to day AGI developer? Are there things I should be doing right now to prepare myself? I guess my biggest conflict here is whether I want to do scientific lab work or programming for AGI. I'm open to both so any information from those with experience would be appreciated. Thanks again for your time! On Thu, Aug 1, 2013 at 5:23 PM, Sergio Donal <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi Emahn, > > AGI is not an easy topic and will require a lot of effort (much more than > a specific degree) from many different areas. > > So, in order to tolerate the frustration of a difficult task better, my > suggestion is to pursue some stuff that you really enjoy, something in > which you can spend hours without advertising the time. > > Computation seems to be a good tool (perhaps paradigm is a better word) > for AGI --but who knows--. Have you tried any course on computing? You may > try to follow some online courses at https://www.udacity.com/ > https://www.edx.org or https://www.coursera.org to see what you like the > most. > > Best! > Sergio > > > > On Fri, Aug 2, 2013 at 1:58 AM, Mike Archbold <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Nobody is saying philosophy is the whole deal in AGI, but only that it >> has a place. Look, if it were not for Aristotle, long known as "The >> Philosopher" there wouldn't even be the syllogism. You have to take >> your foot off the quantitative gas pedal sometime, you know. >> >> On 8/1/13, Matt Mahoney <[email protected]> wrote: >> > Philosophy doesn't contribute anything to AI, but it's fun to talk >> about. >> > >> > On Thu, Aug 1, 2013 at 3:27 AM, Mike Archbold <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >> I've sometimes wondered what the Chinese philosophers might contribute >> >> to AGI. What do you get from him? >> >> >> >> Also the Islamic philosophers are noteworthy. I don't know much about >> >> them, but they were critical in keeping Aristotle going through the >> >> dark ages, as I understand it. Some of their writings are pretty >> >> interesting. >> >> >> >> Mike A >> >> >> >> On 7/31/13, Ben Goertzel <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> Hi Emahn, >> >>> >> >>> I infer from your email that you're more humanities oriented than tech >> >>> oriented.. >> >>> >> >>> However, I would suggest that if you want to be integrally involved in >> >>> shaping the future, you'd do well to get a science or engineering >> >>> background as well. Perhaps a double major in some humanities field >> and >> >>> some science/engineering/math field? Even if you don't end up doing >> >>> anything in science, having a richer understanding of how science >> and/or >> >>> engineering work will be quite valuable for you... >> >>> >> >>> Beyond that sort of general advice, the main advice I have is just >> >>> obvious >> >>> stuff. A diverse background is important. Writing, speaking and >> >>> quantitative skills are important. Learning basic programming will >> help >> >>> you in various ways, even if you don't end up in a career where it's >> >>> part >> >>> of your regular duties.... Understanding the basics of how a >> business >> >>> works will benefit you; even if you don't end up starting a >> business... >> >>> >> >>> If you study philosophy, definitely go back and read the original >> works >> >>> of >> >>> the great philosophers directly, don't trust the modern summarizers >> and >> >>> philosophologists ;) .... There is certainly a lot of depth to be >> mined >> >>> in >> >>> all that old stuff. I'm re-reading various >> translations/interpretations >> >>> of >> >>> the Lao Tzu currently! ... >> >>> >> >>> -- Ben G >> >>> >> >>> On Thu, Aug 1, 2013 at 6:00 AM, Emahn Novid <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >>> >> >>>> Hello Singularity and AGI readers, >> >>>> >> >>>> I'll keep this brief since I've been told there have been similar >> >>>> topics >> >>>> discussed here. My name is Emahn Novid, I'm 19 years old and a second >> >>>> year >> >>>> college student at OCC. I just finished reading Cosmist Manifesto and >> >>>> was >> >>>> wondering if anyone could advise me on what area of study/major I >> >>>> should >> >>>> pursue to be able to best contribute to the cause. I feel like my >> >>>> studies >> >>>> of theism/atheism, philosophy, psychology, politics, and the human >> >>>> equation >> >>>> have all lead me here. Any guidance is appreciated. >> >>>> >> >>>> Thank you for your time. >> >>>> *AGI* | Archives <https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/303/=now >> > >> >>>> <https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/303/212726-deec6279> | >> >>>> Modify<https://www.listbox.com/member/?&;>Your Subscription >> >>>> <http://www.listbox.com> >> >>>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> -- >> >>> Ben Goertzel, PhD >> >>> http://goertzel.org >> >>> >> >>> "My humanity is a constant self-overcoming" -- Friedrich Nietzsche >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> ------------------------------------------- >> >>> AGI >> >>> Archives: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/303/=now >> >>> RSS Feed: >> >>> https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/303/11943661-d9279dae >> >>> Modify Your Subscription: >> >>> https://www.listbox.com/member/?&; >> >>> Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com >> >>> >> >> >> >> >> >> ------------------------------------------- >> >> AGI >> >> Archives: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/303/=now >> >> RSS Feed: >> https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/303/3701026-786a0853 >> >> Modify Your Subscription: https://www.listbox.com/member/?&; >> >> Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com >> > >> > >> > >> > -- >> > -- Matt Mahoney, [email protected] >> > >> > >> > ------------------------------------------- >> > AGI >> > Archives: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/303/=now >> > RSS Feed: >> https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/303/11943661-d9279dae >> > Modify Your Subscription: >> > https://www.listbox.com/member/?&; >> > Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com >> > >> >> >> ------------------------------------------- >> AGI >> Archives: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/303/=now >> RSS Feed: >> https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/303/15717384-a248fe41 >> >> Modify Your Subscription: https://www.listbox.com/member/?&; >> Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com >> > > *AGI* | Archives <https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/303/=now> > <https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/303/24831508-4e7bc603> | > Modify<https://www.listbox.com/member/?&;>Your Subscription > <http://www.listbox.com> > ------------------------------------------- AGI Archives: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/303/=now RSS Feed: https://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/303/21088071-f452e424 Modify Your Subscription: https://www.listbox.com/member/?member_id=21088071&id_secret=21088071-58d57657 Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com
