will computers ever take over earth?

[BC_Programmer]

I can't imagine a politician who doesn't use a telephone/mobile phone/the internet/a microwave/a wristwatch/the list is almost endless to what has a 'computer' in it. which ones controls the other?

The person controls the computer.


When we're all being herded around like sheep to do things a computer has assigned us (not something a computer read from a database people created)... THEN they will be controlling us.

Only if we build 'em in such a way as to give away our control...

How do you 'control' the internet?

he never said anything about the internet.


Like I said, in order to sieze control, something needs to have conciousness; especially in the case of something that would otherwise be controlled.

If we aren't controlling them, why do THEY have input devices?


Unless of course you simply want to wax philosophic over how people's lives "depend" on the computers,networks, and the internet.

They don't. If every single computer stopped working, and the internet just- went down- you think everybody would just die? No. Sure- things would be a bit anarchic for a while, and confusing as to how everything went down at once, but we as a race are still fully capable of performing the very same things we had the computer's doing for us. Like I said, it'll take a bit for things to bounce back, but they would.

[Aegis]

There are already more computers than people on earth so in that sense they've won.

In that sense, the insects won, long ago.

[BC_Programmer]

There are already more computers than people on earth so in that sense they've won.

In that sense, the insects won, long ago.

which is a good point as well, because- when one thinks about it, there are STILL far more insects on earth then people OR computers. Do we say that insects have "taken over the world"? No. they lack the consciousness to realize and seize their positions.. (they also lack the stature, but that's a different point entirely).


There are probably far more trees and plants as well. We also depend on them the live. Do we say they took over the world?

If we aren't going to say things like that about living creatures that are more then three times as plentiful as people, why is it so with inanimate electronics?


Electronics are dumb. They could be used by a person in an attempt to take over the world, but to orchestrate a coordinated take over on their own isn't just far-fetch'd... it's plain ludicrous.

[patio]

Pinky and the Brain have already taken care of all this trivial wonk...
Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

[Aegis]

I keep forgetting about them!   

[fireballs]

which is a good point as well, because- when one thinks about it, there are STILL far more insects on earth then people OR computers. Do we say that insects have "taken over the world"? No. they lack the consciousness to realize and seize their positions.. (they also lack the stature, but that's a different point entirely).


There are probably far more trees and plants as well. We also depend on them the live. Do we say they took over the world?

If we aren't going to say things like that about living creatures that are more then three times as plentiful as people, why is it so with inanimate electronics?


Electronics are dumb. They could be used by a person in an attempt to take over the world, but to orchestrate a coordinated take over on their own isn't just far-fetch'd... it's plain ludicrous.

Who's this we?  do you mean you BC?

I'll reiterate my point, as you don't seem to have been listening earlier.

!!**PERSONALLY**!! i think they already have.

FB

[Ivy]

I'm afraid they won't 

[Aegis]

you don't seem to have been listening earlier.

...listening to the written world...like, Zen, man...groovy!

Probably one area that is close to a "take over" situation is the financial sector.

[Computer Hope Admin]

I'm one who actually thinks that if you can dream it, it's possible. I'm sure long ago people said it'd be impossible to fly in the air, have instant communications (chat/e-mail), GPS, etc. The list is endless of what people used to think would be impossible.

As far as watching too many movies comment, I guess it's possible, however my second most studied subject mater is artificial intelligence (strong AI), neural networks, and general intelligence in relation to the human brain. While we haven't even scratched the surface yet, I still think it's inevitable that computers will be come so intelligent that the *thought* of not needing or deeming humans as a threat will occur. As far as computers taking over the complete planet, I think that's a little more far fetched, although still don't think it's impossible; I just think humans wouldn't give up that easy.

[BC_Programmer]

Who's this we?  do you mean you BC?

I meant humans. There are more people that share your opinion too.

[Geek-9pm]

Code: [Select]

do you think computers will take over earth?
   0101-1001 00100-0101 0101-0011

[BC_Programmer]

Code: [Select]

do you think computers will take over earth?
   0101-1001 00100-0101 0101-0011

lol... good one.

[Aegis]

There's a very old story in which the man asks the computer, "Is there a God?"  The computer replies that it has insufficient processing power to answer the question.  The man arranges to have every mainframe computer in the world linked to his computer.  He asks again if there is a God, and the computer replies that its processing power is still insufficient.  The man then has every desktop computer networked to his computer, and again asks about God.  The computer is still unable to answer his question.  The man arranges to have every processor of every electronic device, from photocopiers to cell phones, to cameras, to coffee makers to watches and clocks, integrated into his computer's network.

The man asks again, "Is there a God?"
The computer replies, "There is, now!"

[BC_Programmer]

hmm, Aegis, your joke reminds me of this short story:

http://filer.case.edu/dts8/thelastq.htm

I have a feeling you might have read it, though.

[Aegis]

Thanks!

I haven't read that story in twenty years, I'd bet.  I've got it bookmarked, and will read it again.