Thinking Machines
This week I want to try something different. Instead of quoting from the weeks lectures on what think machines are. I decided to come up with my own interpretation of what I think a think machine does. Obviously, a think machine is a type of man made device who's sole function is to come up with ideas eliminating the need for human interaction. But do you think it really is necessary to make a machine to think for you or record your ideas.
This week we discussed Bush's memex. His idea was to create a computer type machine that would allow you to look up any book in its library. The machine was never built but the idea still influences others. Every time new technology appears people are always afraid to use it unless it is proven to have some significant value. The memex was also described as a machine that could store data just as the mind does. The memex is an important example of what a thinking machine is, because it brings together all the important resources that one needs to have when researching a topic. Hence not allowing the person to actually think about what is happening.
I think by taking the idea away from the human, we wouldn't have any new innovations. Today, people are capable of running wild with imagination but those ideas are not being developed because we have computers to do the processing for us. Do I think think machines are bad? The answer to that is no I do not. I just think that humans shouldn't try to make a machine to do everything we can. Once that happens our humanity will disappear. Only to leave a memory of what we had.
This week we discussed Bush's memex. His idea was to create a computer type machine that would allow you to look up any book in its library. The machine was never built but the idea still influences others. Every time new technology appears people are always afraid to use it unless it is proven to have some significant value. The memex was also described as a machine that could store data just as the mind does. The memex is an important example of what a thinking machine is, because it brings together all the important resources that one needs to have when researching a topic. Hence not allowing the person to actually think about what is happening.
I think by taking the idea away from the human, we wouldn't have any new innovations. Today, people are capable of running wild with imagination but those ideas are not being developed because we have computers to do the processing for us. Do I think think machines are bad? The answer to that is no I do not. I just think that humans shouldn't try to make a machine to do everything we can. Once that happens our humanity will disappear. Only to leave a memory of what we had.