Walter Scheirer, a computer scientist at Notre Dame and author, Megan O’Gieblyn, a writer examining technology and philosophy, and Sougwen Chung, an artist collaborating with AI, delve into the limits and capabilities of artificial intelligence. They discuss whether AI can possess consciousness or creativity, and explore the implications of deep fakes on society. The trio also contemplates the future of AI in art and examines the emotional connections humans form with technology, raising profound questions about its role in our lives.
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Teenage Hacker Explores Internet's Shadow Side
Walter Scheirer, a computer scientist, was a teenage hacker fascinated by the internet's shadow side.
He explored underground communities, learned about Unix, and encountered hacker lore about UFOs and government secrets.
insights INSIGHT
The Deceptive Nature of Internet Humor
Internet humor, especially memes, can be deceptive.
While often humorous, memes can spread insidious messages, blurring the lines between harmless jokes and dangerous misinformation.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Misinterpreting Satire
Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal", advocating cannibalism, is often misinterpreted.
It's actually a satire critiquing the poor's state in Ireland, highlighting how internet content can be misunderstood.
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In 'The Age of Spiritual Machines,' Ray Kurzweil presents a prophetic blueprint for the future where the capabilities of computers and humans become increasingly intertwined. The book explores the exponential growth of technology, particularly in artificial intelligence, and predicts a future where computers will exceed human intelligence. Kurzweil discusses the blurring of lines between human and machine, the emergence of new forms of intelligence, and the potential for humans to migrate their consciousness into machines. The book is a thought-provoking analysis of human and artificial intelligence and their evolving relationship in the 21st century.
The Modem World
The Modem World
Kevin Driscoll
A History of Fake Things On The Internet
None
Walter Scheirer
A modest proposal
Jonathan Swift
Written in 1729, 'A Modest Proposal' is a Juvenalian satirical essay that critiques the harsh treatment of the Irish by the English and the social and economic conditions of Ireland. Swift suggests, in a hyperbolic and ironic manner, that poor Irish families could sell their children as food to wealthy English landowners. The essay is a scathing critique of the heartless attitudes towards the poor, British policy towards Ireland, and the incompetence of Irish politicians. It uses sustained irony and rhetorical devices to expose the absurdity of quick-fix solutions to social problems and to highlight the dire state of Ireland under British rule.
God, Human, Animal, Machine
Technology, Metaphor, and the Search for Meaning
Meghan O'Gieblyn
In this book, Meghan O'Gieblyn delves into the complex relationships between technology, human consciousness, and the search for meaning. She examines how the rise of science and technology has transformed our understanding of the world, from the materialism introduced by Descartes to the modern digital age. O'Gieblyn draws on her personal experiences as a former fundamentalist Christian and her studies in philosophy to navigate topics such as artificial intelligence, the hard problem of consciousness, and the blending of scientific and religious thought. The book is a hybrid of history, criticism, philosophy, and memoir, offering a nuanced and thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be human in the face of technological advancements.
AI can do amazing things – write your term papers, sequence your genes, maybe replace your therapist. But even super-intelligence has limits. So, does AI really have a mind — or a soul? We'll explore the frontiers of artificial intelligence — from robots painting masterpieces to software engineers trying to create god-like machines.
To The Best Of Our Knowledge 
