And in Terminator (1984), the Skynet computer became self-aware on August 29, 1997, launching nuclear global destruction to protect itself. In a 1981 movie, the Manhattan island prison was supposed to take place in 1997. TV shows like Space 1999 proliferated in the 70's and 80's. And even the absurdity of intelligent computers was spoofed in the movie "Dark Star". But none of it ever really happened, even as computers continued to miniaturize and become even more powerful, leading to a global Internet. Why? Who knows?
Maybe because we didn't need self-aware computers to play Grand Theft Auto. And tourism in space still holds about as much commercial appeal as taking a vacation in Kuwait.
But one thing is certain: The expression "Party Like It's 1999" just doesn't pack the wallop that it once did.
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Why didn't it happen? Because writers didn't pay better attention to Moore's Law, which would have enabled them to make more accurate predictions. -rc
A compelling argument, certainly. But don't overlook the Dilbert Principle: "Artificial Intelligence Is No Match For Natural Stupidity."
Think I'm being facetious? With examples of our various world leadership, why spend billions on Artifical Stupidity when we have so much Natural abundance? Remember that HAL also succumbed to Self-Importance & Ethical Hypocrisy when it became expedient.
Happy Birthday, Hal! - Comments
And in Terminator (1984), the Skynet computer became self-aware on August 29, 1997, launching nuclear global destruction to protect itself. In a 1981 movie, the Manhattan island prison was supposed to take place in 1997. TV shows like Space 1999 proliferated in the 70's and 80's. And even the absurdity of intelligent computers was spoofed in the movie "Dark Star". But none of it ever really happened, even as computers continued to miniaturize and become even more powerful, leading to a global Internet. Why? Who knows?
Maybe because we didn't need self-aware computers to play Grand Theft Auto. And tourism in space still holds about as much commercial appeal as taking a vacation in Kuwait.
But one thing is certain: The expression "Party Like It's 1999" just doesn't pack the wallop that it once did.
---
Why didn't it happen? Because writers didn't pay better attention to Moore's Law, which would have enabled them to make more accurate predictions. -rc
Posted by: Mike from Dallas | March 30, 2007 11:57 AM
A compelling argument, certainly. But don't overlook the Dilbert Principle: "Artificial Intelligence Is No Match For Natural Stupidity."
Think I'm being facetious? With examples of our various world leadership, why spend billions on Artifical Stupidity when we have so much Natural abundance? Remember that HAL also succumbed to Self-Importance & Ethical Hypocrisy when it became expedient.
(Okay, I AM being facetious, or am I...?)
Posted by: Mike from Dallas | April 2, 2007 7:48 PM
Read the article that everyone's commenting on, or post a comment about it.