Robots Are Strong: The Sci-Fi Myth of Robotic Competence

[dale coba]

That suite of capabilities is still a very long way away.

Considered in context of current capability, we concur; but measured in time, I think that author is whistling past the graveyard. "still a very long way away" seems to me to be overly skeptical (or optimistic).


Beware the quantum computers.

According to documents provided by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, the effort to build “a cryptologically useful quantum computer” – a machine exponentially faster than classical computers – is part of a $79.7 million research program titled “Penetrating Hard Targets.” Much of the work is hosted under classified contracts at a laboratory in College Park, Md.

I expect that Skynet will insist on assembling itself exclusively from the finest in quantum computer designs.

- Dale Coba

[darkbutflashy]

After the lengthy trolley dilemma analogy, the author pretty much puts it in a nutshell. Good article.

[dale coba]

What if the rate of consequential, new inventions is fundamentally greater than it was?

I think your model works better if we progress at a mid-late 20th century rate.
I think the invention rate has sped up greatly, though I can't quantify it well.

- Dale Coba