Dennis Hackethal’s Blog

My blog about philosophy, coding, and anything else that interests me.

Tweets

An archive of my tweets and retweets through . They may be formatted slightly differently than on Twitter. API access has since gotten prohibitively expensive – I don't know whether or when I'll be able to update this archive.

But in case I will, you can subscribe via RSS – without a Twitter account. Rationale

@physicsJ @MorganMJohnsen @businessinsider

Thank you, that's fascinating!

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @physicsJ:
Light Speed – fast, but slow
#scicomm https://t.co/LfoZ3g38DK

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@physicsJ @MorganMJohnsen @businessinsider

Ooh - you mean sometimes the earth pulls harder than others?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@physicsJ @MorganMJohnsen @businessinsider

I noticed the yearly added distance doesn't decrease steadily, but jumps around a bit. Why is that?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@astupple

You slightly misquoted it, which made it harder to find, but I found that passage.

I'd like to help you, but can you clarify what you're struggling with? Popper says right afterwards that if a theory doesn't predict more than the problem you're explaining, you get circularity.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@AijeCarvajal @ToKTeacher

Alternatively, read chapter 1 of "The Beginning of Infinity" by David Deutsch.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@AijeCarvajal @ToKTeacher

That was not blame. Do you not need to learn more philosophy? Do you already know everything about philosophy?

The source or format of an argument shouldn't matter, but if it has to be me, you could listen to soundcloud.com/dchacke/artifi….

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@AijeCarvajal @ToKTeacher

I am familiar with the common sense conception of knowledge. It is wrong. You need to learn more philosophy in order to understand this.

A good paper to get you started is sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@AijeCarvajal @ToKTeacher

Automatic or not, that is knowledge. It is encoded in genes. Knowledge does not require a knowing subject.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@MatMcGann

Thanks.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @DavidDeutschOxf:
Moral inversion: blaming the nemesis of slavery for slavery; lamenting the existence of the USA; etc.

Blaming the Wes…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@MatMcGann

Thanks. What book is that extract from? I see the author is Richard L Gregory?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@MatMcGann

Fascinating. What book is this?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@ks445599 @SuUm4ya @HunterBergsma @RortyWitt

But that was not your question. I agree that capitalism couldn’t be phased out without coercion. Trying to end capitalism always ends in theft and violence.

Capitalism is what allows for creativity in the first place.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@ks445599 @SuUm4ya @HunterBergsma @RortyWitt

I made a mistake. I misread your tweet as saying “How do you phase out coercion and authoritarianism? Can’t be done”.

To which my answer is, yes, coercion and authoritarianism can be phased out and that would be pure creativity.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@ks445599 @SuUm4ya @HunterBergsma @RortyWitt

Sure it can. Such a state would be pure creativity.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@ChipkinLogan

I don’t know. Just remembered hearing somewhere that Einstein predicted more bending. You may well be right.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@ChipkinLogan

Nice. BTW I think Newtonian physics does predict the bending of light by gravity: physics.stackexchange.com/questions/2983…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @HumanProgress:
In the year 353, a bishop called Hilary of Poitiers predicted that the world would end in just 12 years, in 365. It is a…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Is he serious?? @BernieSanders is trying to actively destroy a beginning of infinity: that of wealth creation. Static memes galore. twitter.com/BernieSanders/…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @PessimistsArc:
When things are scarce pessimists say “The glass if half empty!”

When things are abundant pessimists say “The glass is…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@wster @woj_zaremba @OpenAI

Indeed. @woj_zaremba is actually talking about the prerequisites of being an effective universal constructor but doesn't realize it.

There are only two prerequisites for intelligence:

  1. Universal computation
  2. Creativity
@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

More disappointments coming out of @OpenAI.

Only humans are intelligent, for only they have the universal ability to create new knowledge. And winning is only ever achieved through knowledge, not environments or tools. twitter.com/woj_zaremba/st…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Reactions to @GretaThunberg’s speech are as rehearsed as the speech itself. “Wow, such condemning words from a child, how inspiring.” She’s a victim of static memes, as is the agreeing audience.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @DavidDeutschOxf:
@richarddorset

You don't have to wait for the apocalypse to find hell on Earth. There are millions of people in it rig…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @DavidDeutschOxf:
I don't think Kant's "sapere aude!" is a great motto for the Enlightenment, but it has its moments, and this is one.…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@AW43755181

Given a universal system, any errors it contains have no bearing on its universality. Unless we are mistaken about its universality.

It can improve in other domains: speed, efficiency, reducing unintended side effects, etc.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@AW43755181

What do you mean by “imperfect”?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @andrewdoyle_com:
Okay. I know this photo is going to come out eventually. So I may as well get it over with.

Many years ago, I dressed…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @unherd:
"Needless to say, the last thing the world needs right now is yet another book by a straight white cis male" | @TitaniaMcGrath

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@JeffLadish

A good mantra. But: a better question to ask is "how can we detect and correct errors"?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@DavidDeutschOxf

One thing I should have said differently: the goal absolutely is to build AGI.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

The Labrador Energy podcast interviewed me about AGI when I was in Berlin. As always, heavily inspired by @DavidDeutschOxf:

radiopublic.com/the-labrador-e…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@madeofmistak3

You just did.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Congrats, @jessykate et al. I'd like to one day look up at the moon and see lights of cities shining back down on us, like those photographs of nighttime on earth. twitter.com/DavidDeutschOx…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@bnielson01 @Unendedquest @RatCritical @RealtimeAI @reasonisfun

Because lack of such a signal shows weakness. A weak man is less likely to be successful because he can be pushed around. A strong man is more stable and therefore a safer investment.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@Unendedquest @RatCritical @RealtimeAI @reasonisfun

This is not because women don't want to push buttons (twitter.com/reasonisfun/st…); they may decide to actively push buttons until the man signals that preparedness. Men generally do not require this sort of signaling from women.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@Unendedquest @RatCritical @RealtimeAI @reasonisfun

In relationships, it is typically women who expect men to signal the preparedness to leave anytime so they (women) feel safe investing emotionally in the relationship.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@Unendedquest @RatCritical @RealtimeAI @reasonisfun

Yes. Being prepared to leave isn't enough: things are only less likely to go wrong after one has signaled one's willingness to leave. Until then, an adversary may bet on one's not being prepared to leave and act accordingly.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@RealtimeAI @reasonisfun

That doesn't answer my question. I can see that it will make repeated violation of boundaries less likely. Those won't repeat if you walk away. But I don't see why it makes the first violation less likely.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@reasonisfun

Why does being prepared to leave make things going wrong less likely? You're still waiting for the first thing to go wrong to trigger your leaving, no?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @HumanProgress:
It took five days to reach the U.S. East Coast from London in 1914. Today, it takes half a day. buff.ly/2Und18R

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@JohnFStifter

No. Computational universality implies that no brain replica is required to build AGI. It’s simply not a question of hardware. No sensory input required either.

I explain this stuff here: soundcloud.com/dchacke/artifi…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@JohnFStifter

Correct; you need a processor to run those lines.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@Hugoisms

Will you consider writing appendices called "Can machines eat?" and "Can we eat machines?" as a nod to Philomena Cunk? I'm still laughing about that clip!!

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

A great example of how empiricism, reductionism, and violation of computational universality sabotage research in artificial intelligence. twitter.com/QuantaMagazine…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@Hugoisms

Which problems?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@sleepdiplomat

Say you sleep poorly one night and don’t end up getting the 7 hour minimum. Do you then stay in bed longer in the morning trying to fall asleep again, or do you get up around the usual time so as to not mess up the regular schedule?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @Hugoisms:
Me after I read The Fabric of Reality and learned about computation https://t.co/XW1xwJ53Yj

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@Hugoisms

YES I’d love a computer I can eat!

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@caerwy

I don’t disagree that marks on paper can represent abstract entities.

I’m saying that consciousness requires information processing, and a piece of paper is only memory.

The piece of paper “knows” how to multiply given the right marks, but it can’t multiply without a processor.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@bnielson01 @ks445599

But why wouldn’t the AGI have access to existing knowledge?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@bnielson01 @ks445599

Interesting. Why not?

And why do you think one mind may already contain multiple UEs?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@bnielson01 @ks445599

I wonder if it would have access to existing knowledge in the host’s mind.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@caerwy

But the piece of paper is memory only, without processing. So it can’t have consciousness on its own.

Is it your making marks that instantiates consciousness? Hard to believe, too.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@ks445599

Go on. Why not?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Knowing how to multiply is required to multiply, but different from it: there is having knowledge and applying/running it.

If a person understands how to build an AGI, and runs this knowledge, does that instantiate a second person in their mind?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@Giovanni_Lido

Not that I know of, unless a client like SoundCloud or Apple Podcast gives you a way to do it.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Have you been enjoying the podcast on artificial creativity? Consider making a donation to support the show: patreon.com/artificialcrea…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@JakeTheHuman28

Right on, thanks. I'll go with Patreon.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Thinking of setting up a Patreon page for my podcast, but hesitant because of their practices of kicking out people who disagree politically.

Has anyone found or tried decent alternatives? I found buymeacoffee.com but it doesn't come close in terms of functionality.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@bnielson01 @yudapearl @onnlucky @ks445599 @SamHarrisOrg

Right, that. Is it not meant as an answer to the question of how we know? That’s how it seemed to me in the podcast.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@bnielson01 @yudapearl @onnlucky @ks445599 @SamHarrisOrg

Is the ladder of knowledge not an answer to the question “how do we know”?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@bnielson01 @yudapearl @onnlucky @ks445599 @SamHarrisOrg

(It's really the only theory of knowledge we have.) From your article, I don't see @yudapearl adding anything of value to Popperian epistemology, nor criticizing it. Both are welcome. Again, I may change my mind if I read the book.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@bnielson01 @yudapearl @onnlucky @ks445599 @SamHarrisOrg

I skimmed it. The touch point I see between the two is the focus on causation. And the criticism of deep learning is correct. The reason Popperians tend to have an attitude of "all or nothing" is because it's the best theory of knowledge we have.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @nature:
The first few weeks of an embryo's development are vital. Now, new techniques are allowing scientists to learn more about this…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@yudapearl @onnlucky @ks445599 @SamHarrisOrg

Then I suggest the same thing to you that I suggested @onnlucky do. I'll be sure to read your book as well.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @PessimistsArc:
Sliced bread? LAZY! (1935) newspapers.com/clip/31259441/… https://t.co/EsY9rjjNGp

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@onnlucky @ks445599 @SamHarrisOrg @yudapearl

At this point, I suggest you read chapter 1 of "The Beginning of Infinity". Then, read it again. And then you read it a third time. Then report back.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@onnlucky @ks445599 @SamHarrisOrg @yudapearl

Yes. We can have both. One lets us see. The other lets us understand how seeing works. Either way, no observation without theory.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@onnlucky @ks445599 @SamHarrisOrg @yudapearl

What’s “descriptive knowledge”?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@onnlucky @ks445599 @SamHarrisOrg @yudapearl

Theory of optics is supplied genetically. Many animals have it from birth.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@onnlucky @ks445599 @SamHarrisOrg @yudapearl

No. Before you can observe anything you need a theory of optics, and a theory of what to look at.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@bnielson01

“Pythonic”. Neat.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@onnlucky @SamHarrisOrg @yudapearl

The point is induction does not exist. It’s impossible.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@onnlucky @SamHarrisOrg @yudapearl

Then I suggest you read the material I reference.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@SamHarrisOrg

Why do you keep ignoring Popper? Eg he solved the problem of induction, yet you and @yudapearl talk about it as if it’s this mysterious thing.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Episode 11 of the podcast on artificial creativity is out, on the problem of induction as it surfaces in @SamHarrisOrg’s latest episode with @yudapearl, Karl Popper’s solution to it and how it relates to AGI:

soundcloud.com/dchacke/artifi…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Going to be in Oxford over the weekend. Anyone I should meet?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@CarnunMP

If it's about physical reproduction without understanding, why not have sex? We want the explanation.

The whole point is that we do not need to simulate or physically copy a brain, or any part of the body; we need only simulate creativity.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@CarnunMP

I don't think we could upload or simulate AGI without understanding it first.

Still not sure what you mean by "beyond"?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@CarnunMP

I speculate that AGI is an easier problem to solve than halting the aging process, but I don't know because I can't program either one. At least we have the requisite hardware for AGI already.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@CarnunMP

I see the cure for aging in uploading our minds to computers; but I speculate that to do that, we must first crack AGI, because that is a mind running on a computer.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@NickHudsonCT

"Dr" Caroline Leaf

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@NickHudsonCT

A German translation of amazon.de/Switch-Your-Br…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@madeofmistak3

Have you heard of “Big Jaws” yet?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@RealtimeAI @JoeNanbu @SimonDeDeo

Sure, and they’re structurally different. But they have the same repertoire.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@RealtimeAI @JoeNanbu @SimonDeDeo

No, that would violate computational universality.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Ok fuck this. Now she’s quoting Moses as evidence for her brain research findings. LOL. I’m done with this.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@mizroba

Let’s be real: there are no good explanations of consciousness at the moment.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

We then came up with tests for each of them by selectively turning off WiFi, cellular, and bluetooth on both phones. Bluetooth survived the selection process as the best guess.

If you understand each step in this process down to the last detail, you can build AGI.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

The devices had identified each other

1) through a sort of WiFi handshake (despite not being connected to WiFi yet)
2) over bluetooth
3) over a combination of iCloud and location services over cellular

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

... conveniently offered to share the password with me.

We were dumbstruck: how did our phones do this? We came up with the following conflicting ideas:

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

An example of AGI functionality:

Today, a friend and I tried to figure out how an particular Apple feature works. I was visiting his apartment for the first time and tried to log in to his WiFi on my phone. He was about to read the password to me, when his phone...

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@ToKTeacher @reasonisfun

"Creating new explanations and ideas is exactly the same process as learning them." ❤️

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@markcannon5 @peremayol

Thinking that knowledge comes from “data”, or through the senses. It’s nonsense. It doesn’t work. Do yourself a favor and read chapter 1 of “The Beginning of Infinity” if you want to build AGI. And then, if you really want to build it, read the entire book. And then again.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@markcannon5 @peremayol

Empiricism again.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @brainpicker:
“Knowledge consists in the search for truth… It is not the search for certainty.”

Popper, born on this day in 1902, on tr…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Alright I guess. I'll keep reading... for now.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

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