Ben, et al, I have posted in the past as part of other postings that live forever machines should be at once much easier to build, worth far more than an AGI, and lead directly to an AGI. However, no one has even commented on this. If I am right, then present efforts should shift in that direction. If I am wrong, then efforts directed in that direction should be redirected here. Hence, this IS an important issue to consider here.
Live forever Machine: An assembly line that takes dying/dead people, scans out their entire brain structure, and installs that structure into a new android body that is both repairable and capable of periodic checkpoints. In short, to last forever, potentially outliving even our own sun. Of course, additional computing capacity could be installed, thereby making AGIs. Note that the main barrier both to AGI and to live forever machines is the present inability to easily scan out present brain structure. I have explained on other forums how to do this, but it would take some investment in new machinery. The missing device is a scanning UV fluorescence microscope, which would focus isolated spots of UV a few microns into brain tissue and observe the fluorescence and decay characteristics, and then move on to other spots until the top few microns were completely scanned out. Then, a cryostatic microtome would slice off ~4 microns and the process would continue anew, with a computer matching up the newly exposed surface with the deeper part of the structure previously scanned out. Brain tissue is (nearly) transparent and is richly fluorescent, providing a map of chemical structure from its fluorescence. There are experts (like Kathryn Graubard) in this area, but all they have to use are non-scanning fluorescence microscopes that only have visible-light resolution, no ability to read out decay characteristics, and no attached computers to make the best of the available information. >From the physical mapping, the computer would then generate a logical mapping, which would then be put into a simulation program to continue the operation of the scanned-out brain. Presuming that the entire AGI concept is indeed correct, this logical mapping could then be added onto, to make an AGI of limitless capability, but with the continuing consciousness of a specific individual human. This provides a smooth path to an AGI but without having to solve the early development puzzles, or having to understand the myriad "little details" that doubtless stand in the way of people-programmed efforts. Then, one we actually have a functioning AGI whose operations is 100.00% observable, we can work on completely understanding it to make better. It seems like SUCH a waste of time and effort here to be working on theories and ideas, most of which would be made instantly obsolete by the appearance of a scanning UV fluorescence microscope. Wouldn't it be MUCH better to focus on making at least one of these machines to answer substantially all of the outstanding questions regarding how we work? Certainly, any potential investor would have to see the need for such a device to assure future AGI success (not to mention finding the cures to countless diseases), so if there is to be any substantial investment into AGI efforts, it would seem reasonable to expect to see the first money going into a scanning UV fluorescence microscope. *Hence, if YOU are looking for money for AGI development, then you should also be looking for money to develop a scanning UV fluorescence microscope, as it will insure that you can figure out EVERYTHING needed to make an AGI. Otherwise, all you need is just one puzzle that you can't see how to solve, and your entire effort ends up in the bit bucket. Your prospective investors are probably focuesd on just such problems as you read this. This would not only be cheap insurance, but should help your investor(s) see that you WILLsucceed, despite any unforeseen problems. * ** Not only is AGI stymied by the lack of this device, but so is neuroscience, cancer research, and a number of other biological fields. Of course, it hasn't occurred to biologists that this device is practical to make because they can't see their way past the computer problems - that many of the people here on this forum could handle, even with a hangover. Steve Richfield ------------------------------------------- agi Archives: http://www.listbox.com/member/archive/303/=now RSS Feed: http://www.listbox.com/member/archive/rss/303/ Modify Your Subscription: http://www.listbox.com/member/?member_id=8660244&id_secret=103754539-40ed26 Powered by Listbox: http://www.listbox.com
