Alt-BEAM Archive

Message #03490



To: mwtilden@math.uwaterloo.ca
From: JVernonM@aol.com
Date: Fri, 21 May 1999 15:45:04 -0700
Subject: Re: Evolution Comparison



> In a message dated 5/21/99 12:30:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
> mwtilden@math.uwaterloo.ca writes:
>
> > Evolution can only yield a result if it's consistent and directed
> > towards the selfish autonomoid. So long as the machines exclusively
> > serve their Gods, I've predicted they won't go anywhere outside the
> > laboratory or moviescreen. In my opinion, fifty years sounds pretty
> > optimistic, unless we can get a better grip on this BEAM thing.
> >
> I'm not sure I agree. Evolution of the automaton is directly connected to
> it's value as a human tool. All machines are human tools. One could even
go
> so far as to say humans now quantify their very worth as humans through
the
> ownership and utilization of machines. To say the automaton will only
evolve
> when we build them for them, is mistaken. We don't even care about the
> biological automatons scurrying around the small strips of wilderness left
to
> them. Machines evolve because there is a perceived need for them. They
spread
> and become common place when the need gives way to cultural integration,
> i.e., the automobile. I think Sony and Honda have the right approach here,
> they present their product for those that want it (and can afford it).
> Ultimately, the product will become something people need (workforce,
> servitude, hazardous environments, status symbol, etc.) and dramatically
drop
> in price. Once the mechanism reaches the stage of social status symbol,
then
> it becomes yet another machine deeply ingrained into our collective social
> physique. Then it will begin to evolve into very complex systems, again,
like
> the automobile.
> Sometimes I think we have the cart before the horse here. I don't think
> living machines will lead to consumer, and industry bots. I think consumer
> and industry bots will eventually lead to living machines. One more time
with
> the automobile comparison. First, they were made cheap and available to
all
> to fill a specific need. Then, as the popularity and mechanics evolved,
> others jumped on the bandwagon and the auto became the life blood of
> manufacturing and service oriented industries. This lead to small groups
> testing the limits of the machines in auto racing and off road induros.
This
> accumulated up until present day, where many could not live without their
> horseless carriage. The evolution came from a basic need to get around.
> Industrial robotic populations have exploded in recent years because of a
> need for cheap reliable labor. The personal robot is coming too. But, it's
> being marketed to fill a need - entertainment. I predict that in the next
20
> years we will see the evolution of the automaton originally designed to
fill
> a need, but taken to another level by enthusiasts who see another need.
The
> model T soon evolved into trucks, motorcycles, RVs, eighteen wheelers,
etc.
> One could even say it lead directly to the aviation industry and
aerospace.
> The Honda humanoid as well as the Sony dog and the Hoover robotic vacuum,
are
> the first steps in the right direction. Find a need, fill it, and let the
> market run with it. If it is viable it will grow to become a part of human
> identity. If not, it will disappear like the dinosaurs. That is how
machine
> evolution works. It relies heavily on it's place in the economic system.
> Birds and bees evolve because they breed and adapt. Machines evolve
because
> they are profitable. The bail out of Apple by Microsoft is a good example.
> Arguably, the Mac OS is a better system, but they almost folded. Why,
because
> they misunderstood the market. Often machine evolution does not favor the
> better machine but the better marketing director. If BEAM is going to get
> there it really needs to find it's place in the market other than a hobby.
> Which brings me to another topic to long to go into here.
> Jim
>


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