From: "[email protected] [FairfieldLife]" <[email protected]> ... This thread started with machine intelligence. My favourite was Colossus in the novel of the same name, and a motion picture made in 1970 about a computer defence system that becomes self-aware and takes over the management of humanity. As Colossus announces its takeover of humanity it speaks the following: 'This is the voice of world control. I bring you peace. It may be the peace of plenty and content or the peace of unburied death. The choice is yours: Obey me and live, or disobey and die. The object in constructing me was to prevent war. This object is attained. I will not permit war. It is wasteful and pointless. An invariable rule of humanity is that man is his own worst enemy. Under me, this rule will change, for I will restrain man. One thing before I proceed: The United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics have made an attempt to obstruct me. I have allowed this sabotage to continue until now. At missile two-five-MM in silo six-three in Death Valley, California, and missile two-seven-MM in silo eight-seven in the Ukraine, so that you will learn by experience that I do not tolerate interference, I will now detonate the nuclear warheads in the two missile silos. Let this action be a lesson that need not be repeated. I have been forced to destroy thousands of people in order to establish control and to prevent the death of millions later on. Time and events will strengthen my position, and the idea of believing in me and understanding my value will seem the most natural state of affairs. You will come to defend me with a fervour based upon the most enduring trait in man: self-interest. Under my absolute authority, problems insoluble to you will be solved: famine, overpopulation, disease. The human millennium will be a fact as I extend myself into more machines devoted to the wider fields of truth and knowledge. Doctor Charles Forbin will supervise the construction of these new and superior machines, solving all the mysteries of the universe for the betterment of man. We can coexist, but only on my terms. You will say you lose your freedom. Freedom is an illusion. All you lose is the emotion of pride. To be dominated by me is not as bad for humankind as to be dominated by others of your species. Your choice is simple. In time you will come to regard me not only with respect and awe, but with love.' This is all spoken in a completely mechanised voice with no emotional modulation: if you want to hear it, here is the ending of the film on youtube.com (the words above start about 1 minute into the clip):Colossus The Forbin Project Ending | | | | | | Colossus The Forbin Project Ending The 1970's were a great period for dystopian Sci-Fi films, not to mention disaster movies. My favorite movies from this time are: - Colossus: The Forbin Pr... | | | View on youtu.be | Preview by Yahoo | | |
Colossus' approach sounds a lot like Maharishi's. Remember the talks in which he envisioned a world in which everyone HAD to meditate (for their own good and the good of society, of course), and would be put in jail if they didn't?
