Serdar And Naia II

See previous post.

OK. After fried egg, fried potatoes, crumpets, coffee and a morning of activities, we return to Serdar and Naia, although I have meanwhile thought of another neat post to do.

Serdar "'...once spent a virtuality among human philosophers, no machines anywhere.'" (Genesis, p. 93) There he learned this lesson: "'...we are tiny, but by that very fact we go into the greatness.'" (ibid.) I think that this lesson is valid although it is made to sound hollow by Naia's negativity. A single human brain/mind is minute compared to the entire universe (or multiverse) but it can contemplate the entire universe (or multiverse). Indeed, it is one of the many points in space-time where the universe (or multiverse) becomes conscious of itself. To realize that intellectually and intuitively is surely to transcend boredom, meaninglessness etc.

Serdar has gathered that raising a child is "...an extraordinary experience." (p. 94) That tells us how few children are being born. Naia sees no point in raising a child "'...to play games, indulge senses, dabble at creativity, and slip away into dream worlds - like us...'" (ibid.) Then do something else, woman! Even the dream worlds could be made to challenge instead of just to amuse or entertain.

Instead, she intends to "'...get my emotions cleared for me...'" (ibid.) Well, that is an easy solution to existential problems! Except that it is not a solution. My Zen lay minister once said that, while he was off work ill, he reflected, "This medication is not solving my problems but it is giving me time to solve them." Next our decadent couple plan a "'...[r]eality pleasure...a wilderness trip? The Himalayas...,'" (ibid.) which will require training. In her rather forced enthusiasm, Naia can say only that it will be a challenge and something to tell people about! Serdar is more positive: it will be an accomplishment and a "'...help toward eventual unity with the Ecumenicon.'" (ibid.)

The AI changes its name in every age, of course. Naia wonders whether the Ecumenicon really wants any more human uploads. Serdar thinks that they can make themselves worthy and that, if they have depth, they will enhance. But why does the Ecumenicon in its compassion not assimilate all who want it?

To me, it rings false when Naia cries, "'...is it our meaning?'" (p. 93)

If the AI's have a different meaning, that does not prevent us from having ours here and now. We are the eyes and ears of the universe. Naia's race was the necessary link between organic matter and post-organic intelligence.