RE: FACT CANNON #7: Solving the Fermi Paradox - DNA As A Von Neumann Probe
Thanks for seeding this very interesting (set of) chain(s) of thoughts here @matrioska!
What sprang to my mind reading this is:
Wherever whatever came into existence in the universe, indications are that is some or other intelligence involved. The big question is whether there was a will behind the original ignition of everything and following that whether there was some intelligence behind the will, or if an intermediate intelligence stochastically evolved over whatever time frame required, serving as a basis from which all the mentioned possibilities could have developed, whether that intelligence is biologically rooted, or is a phenomenon in it's own right.
Whether life was seeded here, or not, is secondary to all of that. And to be honest, I personally have not proven a single historically based fact, so all of that qualifies as no more than hear-say within my sphere of reasoning. On the other hand, it makes perfect sense to me that we together with or intellectual capabilities had to be shaped somehow within the universe by or through the forces and laws of the universe, from which follows that the logic of the universe is likely reflected in the nature of our minds and our processes of reasoning. So I have confidence in what 'makes sense' in my mind to correlate reasonably well with realty.
Anyhow, we have no final proof of anything, we find ourselves in our current condition on this planet, and we cannot find any better goal in life other than making the best of life and because conflict breaks down quality of life as opposed to sensible harmonious synergy building quality of life, we find ourselves better off living in peace, doing whatever may benefit quality of life in general.
I hope we can build some nice AI pieces helping us without getting in the way or interfering with our personal space and habits and stop the current ones from invading our privacy, as it clearly diminishes quality of life directly, which is counter productive.
Our joys of living fulfilling lives is ultimately what life is about for us, and we can only hope that independent AIs will be programmed to forever respect that, even if they end up keeping us as pets (if this isn't the case already!).
Hi clickety click, thanks for your feedback.
I think we are probably in agreement in most of the points that you make. I agree that our nature probably does in some way reflect the logic of the universe, after all we have been shaped by its processes down through long eons. Also I am in agreement in terms of what our individual goals should be. We should all be seeking to make the best of life and that cannot be done fully without also seeking to improve the quality of life of those around us where we can, whether they be human or animal, close at hand or very far removed from us. Although of course we do not have carte blanche to decide what is best for anyone else based on our own value systems alone.
My personal belief is that man has always been at its worst and most selfish when it unquestioningly considers itself to be superior in some way, and somehow at the center of things. Discoveries along the lines discussed in the post would hopefully drive home a view of ourselves as essentially just a small (although connected and not unimportant) part of the universe, and in no way above or outside of nature. It may even wake some people up to questioning their daily reality, and thinking a little more instead of accepting everything at face value without applying any personal judgement. Hopefully it would complete Copernicus' unfinished revolution and we would finally see that the universe does not revolve around us.
A quick look at any newspaper will show the terrifying and staggeringly dangerous levels of hubris our species is currently displaying. We need a 'reality adjustment' in very short order to prevent us from doing (or not doing) something that damages all our futures beyond repair, if indeed it is not already too late.
Yip - humility is grossly undervalued.
Nice meeting!