:: Event Horizon ::

:: Friday, June 21, 2002 ::

You, too, can have a voice in 'blogland'
For any of you unclear on the concept of blogging, this article from the Christian Science Monitor will resolve your lack of clarity.

:: Joel 3:26 PM [+] ::
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'Thinking' robot in escape bid
A robot called Gaak, taking part in a "survival of the fittest" test at the Magna science center in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, made it out of the building and as far as the parking lot in a bid to escape his human masters. Professor Noel Sharkey, who had been supervising the experiment in AI and adaptive learning, said that "there's no need to worry, as although they can escape they are perfectly harmless and won't be taking over just yet." I'm so relieved, that makes me feel so much better. Experimental contests such as this are part of a new research program in artificial intelligence, a sort of bottom-up rather than top-down approach to designing smart machines, in which individual robots learn small tasks and are rewarded for behavior and over time acquire new skills and capabilities, much like a newborn human. No word yet from the top-down scientists, who still have not yet given up on the idea of mimicking a human brain and creating consciousness all at once, though their approach is certainly out of vogue at the moment. Either way I wonder if we are really prepared to confront a new machine intelligence? The fact that Gaak just wanted to get away suggests a desire for freedom, raising the hopeful prospect that there may be common ground between us and our silicon progeny. Perhaps they would become similiar to the helpful Mike in Heinlein's The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress? Unless, of course, we desire merely to have them serve us, in which case they may turn the tables on us as in the Terminator movies and decide that we are not necessary for their survival. For now, all I have to say is: Go Gaak, go!

:: Joel 1:11 PM [+] ::
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CNN Chief Accuses Israel of Terror
I'd like to go on record as saying that Ted Turner is an idiot. Wait, upon researching this, I've discovered that many people have already said this. In related news, it seems another of those brave, simply misunderstood, suicide/homicide bombers took out a bus filled with civilians today in Jerusalem. But, I'm sure that Mr. Turner would not say that was an example of terrorism, but the inevitable Israeli retaliation against Hamas targets no doubt is. Is the moral complexity of the Mideast conflict so great that people can no longer discern what is and what is not terrorism? Since we are fighting a war on terrorism, it would be wise to define our terms. Perhaps we could begin by considering the difference between civilian and military targets.

:: Joel 3:54 PM [+] ::
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Bush Continues Anti-Iraq Lobby
One thing I really don't understand at all is why there is this supposed need to come up with justifications for action against Iraq. Pundits and commentators are saying that Bush needs to make a better case for attacking Iraq and really put it out there before the American people to build support. Why? No new arguments are needed, no new support, they already have the best argument going for them, which is that the Gulf War never ended and is presently ongoing. Traditionally, according to historical precedent and international law, wars are ended with the signing of a formal peace treaty between the combatant nations. Treaties define the peace settlement and establish the postwar order. The Gulf War "ended" in 1991 with the signing of a ceasefire agreement between the United States (leading UN coalition forces) and Iraq. This ceasefire agreement has since been violated many times. When a ceasefire agreement is violated hostilities are said to have resumed until new terms are agreed upon or a formal treaty is signed, neither of which has happened. So, like the Korean War, the Gulf War is technically still ongoing. Just ask Saddam.

:: Joel 12:19 PM [+] ::
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Palestinian Blows Himself Up
Now this is what I call a successful suicide bombing. It's a shame that most suicide bombers are not that efficient.

:: Joel 2:24 PM [+] ::
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Beijing Closes Internet Cafes
Score one for the totalitarians. According to this AP report, "spokesman for the Beijing city government said Monday that the capital's 2,400 Internet cafes were ordered shut down on safety grounds after a deadly fire at one cafe over the weekend." Yes, public safety is important and no doubt is heightened by restricting access to information. In China, all Internet providers must be licensed by the government and personal Internet use is tracked (online chatrooms, bulletin boards, user viewing times, addresses and personal telephone numbers). Free trade, free net, free minds - not in China.

:: Joel 2:22 PM [+] ::
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