| 19 Sep 2009 14:37 |
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19 Sep 2009 14:37 |
Which is more powerful? The animal or the tool?
Processing data
Computers process data with electricity.
Humans process data with electricity and chemicals.
Electricity is extremely fast. Chemical processing is (relatively) slow. This means that whilst our brains use the combination of the two, they will never be able to process data as fast as a computer.
In addition, humans are very prone to processing errors (miscalculations, selective memory and nonsense).
Energy efficiency
Computers require generated electricity to operate.
Humans require food, water and sunlight to operate.
When humans eat meat, they are eating an animal that has survived from plants (or another animal that did), and these plants have survived by absorbing sunlight. This means that humans are getting a very small portion of energy, and need to consume massive amounts of food to suffice.
Computers in comparison receive generated electricity, which can come directly from various sources: sunlight (via solar panels), wind (via wind generators), flowing water (in rivers), steam (nuclear energy) or humans (on treadmills). When you think about it, computers are much more energy efficient than humans.
Life expectancy
Computers can live indefinitely.
Humans have a life expectancy in between 60 and 100 years.
When humans are born they take 15 years to learn how to operate themselves, process and communicate with the outside world.
However; computers can take up 1 hour to install an operating system, so that they can work themselves, process and communicate with the outside world.
Also notable is that humans reduce in functionality progressively after about 40 years of age; computers work perfectly indefinitely, provided their equipment is maintained.
Manufacturing
Computers can be manufactured within 24 hours in hundreds.
Humans take 9 months to manufacture, each.
Humans are at high risk of defects depending on the mother's environment, what the mother consumes and any pre-existing conditions that the parents, grandparents or great-grandparents have.
Input
Computers have the capacity to see, hear and touch/feel.
Humans have the capacity to see, hear, touch/feel, taste and smell.
If a human eye is stabbed with a knife, the person is blinded and nothing can be done. If a computer's camera is stabbed with a knife, the camera is replaced.
Output
Computers are able to project light and sound.
Humans are able to project sound.
In conclusion, computers are far superior to human beings. At this stage, however, they are unable to release their full potential.
λ James Kanjo
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We talked a little about this in engineering. The problem is that computers run on programs no matter how sophisticated. If there is no algorithm to run, it can't do very much. Computers also lack emotion, compassion, love, friendship, and common sense. It is these things that make us humans what we are. Computers are admittedly masters at information, but they are no match for the complexity of "our programming".
Also, apparently quantum computers are the next thing coming since Moore's law is collapsing. In some video we watched in Engineering II, they used 7 atoms to compute 3*5=15.
EDIT: Jiminy crickets!! I just watched a TED video that displayed that the human brain is by far several thousand times more efficient than the world's fastest computer.
Timothy Foster - @tfAuroratide
Auroratide.com - Go here if you're nerdy like me
You say computers lack emotion, compassion, love friendship and common sense (the things that make us humans what we are), and you're right. But that's because computers haven't been given the chance to evolve — they are just the product of human programming.
If Charles Darwin's theory of evolution holds true, then computers are able to have emotions and become sentient beings.
λ James Kanjo
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Yes, but Darwin's theory doesn't hold true. (This is my worldview, though.)
Debate, anyone?
Hence the word "If"
λ James Kanjo
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Aw… I was looking for a debate… ;-)
Oh, there's plenty of room for debate! Save it for my next controversial post based upon Darwin's theory, coming soon ;D
λ James Kanjo
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But computers don't live. They only process information.
Timothy Foster - @tfAuroratide
Auroratide.com - Go here if you're nerdy like me
People don't live. They only process information.
λ James Kanjo
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That is a sad view to have. It makes me sad as well. If you only process information, what good are you. Your not even human anymore. I am sorry you have this view. It really breaks my heart James.
I feel the same way about Timothy's view of computers! Computers are wonderful living beings! If you love your computer, it will love you back, and will make its entire life purpose to serve the ones it loves (us). Computers do live! Just as they process information — just as humans live, as they process information!
Love thy neighbour computer!
λ James Kanjo
Blog | Wikidot Expert | λ and Proud
Web Developer | HTML | CSS | JavaScript
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