Thread

1. Topfi · 1791056010 · focus · HN ↗

   <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;archive.ph&#x2F;YPKPh" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;archive.ph&#x2F;YPKPh

   Pontifex has a well-reasoned position given the current understanding of the technology and any major assertions require an equally major amount of evidence.

   Given how quickly this industry moves, the Magnifica Humanitas has aged amazingly well since its release almost half a year ago, far better than statements by most industry insiders across a broad range. Whether you are a Catholic, another mono- or polytheistic faith, Atheist, Deist, etc. I really recommend it.

   1. fwlr · 1791059070 · focus · HN ↗

      Love em or hate em, the Popes quite often write some really thoughtful stuff that stands the test of time (e.g. they have threaded the needle on capitalism vs communism for more than a century).

      1. Topfi · 1791059565 · focus · HN ↗

         Fair, also reminds me of Liberation theology and good old Nixons acts against it. Those teachings&#x2F;writings have also aged very well in my view, the oppositions less so.
      2. ofjcihen · 1791059837 · focus · HN ↗

         If I had to guess I think that’s probably a result of how they’re elected. It makes sense that kind of process involving people in those positions would result in someone insightful (most of the time that is. There’s definitely been some…interesting popes).

         1. Ekaros · 1791062180 · focus · HN ↗

            To be even eligible of selection of being a pope is very hard. (Well technically being male and catholic is enough...) They are selected from cardinals. And cardinals in essence are the most politically successful, active and connected from priesthood. This includes also being good communicator with others in similar roles and above.

            Catholic church in some sense is massive international company that only promotes internally. So at top you most likely end up with quite similar people who end up as executives in private companies.

         2. greatgib · 1791063249 · focus · HN ↗

            And let&#x27;s not forget that it is almost their only job to say or write believable bullshit for all occasions, all day long since leaving the theological school.
      3. KellyCriterion · 1791060973 · focus · HN ↗

         Why is it that only Popes have this ability?

         1. pydry · 1791061363 · focus · HN ↗

            Theyre mostly immune to lobbying.
         2. graemep · 1791061416 · focus · HN ↗

            Lots of people have the ability.

            Very few who can get the global media to report what they say (and even Popes can only do it intermittently) both have the ability and the desire to use it.

         3. mcphage · 1791068410 · focus · HN ↗

            Why do you think only Popes have this ability? That&#x27;s an odd notion.
      4. tim333 · 1791126402 · focus · HN ↗

         The Pope&#x27;s arguments that AIs &quot;do not undergo experiences, do not possess a body, do not feel joy or pain, do not mature through relationships&quot; seem reasonable, though that could probably be part of future versions.

         1. api · 1791197420 · focus · HN ↗

            My hypothesis would be that sentience requires three things at least:

            (1) Some kind of embodiment, either direct or by proxy, a way to interact with the universe directly and perceive directly.

            (2) Recursion and mutability, the capacity to deeply self-modify. (We do this because neurons are literally alive. We&#x27;re more of a nested Russian doll of sentience I think.)

            (3) Being tied metabolically to the thermodynamic arrow of time. You could argue AI already has this, but I&#x27;m not sure if it&#x27;s a direct enough coupling.

            I also wonder about a quantum mechanical basis to consciousness. While it&#x27;s impossible for the brain to be doing discrete qubit style quantum computation (too hot and noisy), it could be doing some other kind of quantum computation, something quite a bit more analogue and stochastic.

            If that&#x27;s true, it may also require quantum computing.

      5. api · 1791197222 · focus · HN ↗

         It&#x27;s such a contrast to certain kinds of pop evangelical Christianity, which if you step back more closely resembles new age fads and other shallow movements.

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.