Thread: Can Computers Think?

  1. #31
    Registered User VirtualAce's Avatar
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    You could answer this question by playing some recent software titles. I've never encountered enemy AI that I would deem as 'smart'.





    Like, for instance, I think the first thing they would teach Rainbow Six operatives is how NOT to walk in front of your teammate while he is discharging his firearm.



  2. #32
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    What ........es me off eaven more is when you get shot by your own men. In Halo it's pritty funny though, the guy that shoots you oftan sais: Get your big ass out of my way.

    And in socom it allways seems like your given away by your own men.. They just get up and run right in like an idiot. Of course they die verry fast .

  3. #33
    UNIX chick
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    A little dependent clause..
    Humans would still make mistakes, computers that could think (if we define 'think' as dictionary.com did) wouldn't. I believe that's a scary thought (but also a thought that says something about how powerful humans can be).

  4. #34
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    The computer dosn't eaven know it made a mistake, were all programmers and know how a computer really 'thinks'. It did what it was supposed to... React to imput and that's basicly it.

  5. #35
    Toaster Zach L.'s Avatar
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    >> It did what it was supposed to... React to imput and that's basicly it.

    And how do we know that isn't all that humans do?
    The word rap as it applies to music is the result of a peculiar phonological rule which has stripped the word of its initial voiceless velar stop.

  6. #36
    Rad gcn_zelda's Avatar
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    >>And how do we know that isn't all that humans do?
    Because I'm psychic!!!

  7. #37
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    Computers relate to instructions.. Humans relate to past experiences.

  8. #38
    Registered User tgm's Avatar
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    I don't know that the question is specific enough to have a definite answer (think is a little vague).
    Can computers be programmed to learn? Yes.
    Can computers use things they have learned to reach conclusions? Yes.
    How different is that from teaching a child to understand a concept and reach conclusions?
    I think computers can mimic thinking (in a general sense) pretty well.

    I think a better discussion would be on consciousness. Can that be programmed?

  9. #39
    Toaster Zach L.'s Avatar
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    Computers can relate to past experiences. All that it really entails is storing in some fashion data from the past, and then looking it up again when needed.

    Humans change behavior over time (and experience), but so can computers. A good example would be training an artificial neural network.
    The word rap as it applies to music is the result of a peculiar phonological rule which has stripped the word of its initial voiceless velar stop.

  10. #40
    Registered User VirtualAce's Avatar
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    I like stupid computers. The day my system talks back to me and tells me what he/she thinks of me is the day I quit programming.


  11. #41
    UNIX chick
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    Originally posted by tgm
    Can computers be programmed to learn? Yes.
    Can computers program the 'perfect' computer? In theory, yes. That's why, imo, AI is a scary thought.

    As for consciousness; a computer cannot feel, so I'd say no, it can't be programmed. It would never wake up one day thinking 'why am I here?'. But then again; we are only aware of our consciousness because we are taught too, aren't we? So I guess a computer could be taught it too.

  12. #42
    Rad gcn_zelda's Avatar
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    >>Can computers program the 'perfect' computer? In theory, yes. That's why, imo, AI is a scary thought.

    You can't program a computer. For a computer to build a computer, it would have to be able to put one together. But I agree. we've gotta be careful not to make a completely intelligent computer.

  13. #43
    Toaster Zach L.'s Avatar
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    The question then becomes, what is consciousness? What exactly does it mean to be self-aware? Considering the components of a computer and a human (on a rather small scale) are the same, I do not see why a computer could not experience "consciousness", at least in theory. Of course, what is the distinction between a computer and a human?
    The word rap as it applies to music is the result of a peculiar phonological rule which has stripped the word of its initial voiceless velar stop.

  14. #44
    Rad gcn_zelda's Avatar
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    All this talk seems to be theoritical. Could anybody actually program a computer like that in their lifetime?

  15. #45
    The Earth is not flat. Clyde's Avatar
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    Can computers program the 'perfect' computer? In theory, yes. That's why, imo, AI is a scary thought
    Presumeably a 'perfect' computer would have infinite computational power, hence it is impossible. 'Perfect' AI means nothing unless we define the purpose of the AI.

    As for consciousness; a computer cannot feel, so I'd say no, it can't be programmed
    Todays computers cannot feel (presumeably), how do you know that tommorows will not be able to?

    we are only aware of our consciousness because we are taught too, aren't we?
    Consciousness seems pretty self-evident to me.

    Of course, what is the distinction between a computer and a human?
    Biology.

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