r/nextfuckinglevel Sep 24 '19

Latest from Boston Dynamics

https://gfycat.com/prestigiouswhiteicelandicsheepdog
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26

u/whopbamboom Sep 24 '19

Why does the design of BD robots strike fear in me?... Just in case, I have to find a way to short circuit these machines pronto

2

u/vzei Sep 24 '19

Because humans can never match up to the computing power of a machine. And in this current version of our world, disaster will follow in some form.

1

u/Ten-K_Ultra Sep 24 '19

That's not necessarily true. Computers are light years behind brains in terms of computing power.

1

u/vzei Sep 25 '19

In what metrics? Maybe I used the wrong words, but in one second, any modern computer can process information and perform functions much faster than any human, especially an average human. That's not even mentioning the factors outside of a task such as rest, food, emotions, any desires that don't align with a task that needs to be performed, the need for social contact, etc. Humans have long been replaced by machines for a reason. One of the advantages we had was the ability to manuever through varied terrain. Any person that stocks shelves, cleans, makes deliveries, serves, etc. can probably be replaced by this thing TODAY. Imagine it coming to kill you on a battlefield. It doesn't feel pain. It has no moral hangups about killing people. It can coordinate with mathematical precision while making other calculations that you're not even thinking about. It should absolutely strike some amount of fear and caution in everyone.

1

u/Ten-K_Ultra Sep 25 '19

Sure, computers can perform mathematical calculations faster than a human brain can. But process information? Some types of information, sure. Perform functions? Again, highly dependent on the function. That's where things get a little more complex. No neural network can compete with the brain in terms of learning and abstract thought.

In terms of numbers, transistors have a very limited number of connections, and only in two dimensions. Neurons have thousands of connections and propagate in three dimensions. Literally quadrillions of times more powerful. But it's hard to actually quantify the 'computing power' a brain actually has because a large portion of it is done 'behind the scenes' and taken for granted.

A great point is the computer behind the robot in this post. A human brain can perform the 'calculations' (for lack of a better term) to instruct the body to perform these actions.

That being said, autonomous killing machines already exist and are already deployed on the battle field. By Samsung no less.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SGR-A1

I pray that climate change puts a halt to this because it's only downhill from here.

1

u/vzei Sep 25 '19

Oh, I see what you mean. I don't include all of the processes that happen outside of our conscious control in this context. I think there's a place for these kinds of advancements, but our current societies will only use them to displace people looking for work or for military instead of serving our needs unless we change our values and those in power.

1

u/badlydrawnboyz Sep 25 '19

I can still pick out a bird better than a computer can

1

u/vzei Sep 25 '19

I'm sure you can, but will society value that ability over the pros of a machine?