Thread

1. cmiles8 · 1790950850 · focus · HN ↗

   Humans have an inherent flaw in that our brains are wired to see intelligence and reasoning where there is none. Our brains fill in data that simply isn’t there.

   Folks see Jesus in burnt toast. Monet was a master of exploiting this where what’s really just blotches of color our brains fill into beautifully detailed images.

   Our experience with LLMs is no different. Folks believe there is some deeper intelligence there but it’s all still just 1s and 0s on a computer chip. We’re interpreting things happening that simply are not happening.

   1. WarmWash · 1790951195 · focus · HN ↗

      The brain is just ones and zeros on salty mush.

      You either have to accept that the brain can be described with math (like everything else we have ever known in the universe), or that there is a supernatural phenomenon that exists in the brain.

      This is an inescapable conclusion that boils down to "Do you believe magic is real or not?"

      Magic is real and you can have your unique special human intelligence.

      Magic is not real, and the brain is just another computer crunching numbers.

      1. kerblang · 1790951430 · focus · HN ↗

         I think it's been pretty well demonstrated by neuroscientists that the brain is not a binary computer. That doesn't mean that those scientists erred on behalf of supernatural religion or anything like that.

         1. qarl · 1790953389 · focus · HN ↗

            As long as you believe a brain is just a physical system - then it can be simulated to any degree of accuracy with plain ol' binary computers.

            1. Henchman21 · 1790961487 · focus · HN ↗

               Why would someone believe that the brain is just a physical system?

               Genuinely I don't understand this.

               1. qarl · 1790963587 · focus · HN ↗

                  > Why would someone believe that the brain is just a physical system?

                  Because we've never in the history of science discovered a non-physical (supernatural) system. So it would be quite a surprise.

                  1. Henchman21 · 1790976265 · focus · HN ↗

                     So we should assume no non-physical systems exist? And discourage the study of such a thing because reasons?

                     How does the observer effect work?

                     1. qarl · 1790981738 · focus · HN ↗

                        Yes. In exactly the same way we assume that bigfoot doesn't exist. Or ghosts. Or leprechauns.

                        This is very basic scientific reasoning, friend.

                        1. Henchman21 · 1790995310 · focus · HN ↗

                           Having had paranormal experiences myself, I find myself questioning pretty much everything. I appreciate your reply, thank you.

                           1. qarl · 1790997586 · focus · HN ↗

                              That's fine. Just understand that modern science will likely explain this by a malfunction of your senses - because no evidence of paranormal activity has ever been shown.

                              If you want to argue outside of science you should state it up front - especially on a site like this.

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.