(i) An Asimov computer in hyperspace reverses entropy. See here.
(ii) In Poul Anderson's Genesis, a planetary inorganic intelligence can "emulate" historical periods, alternative histories and fantasy realms. An "emulation" is a simulation containing conscious programs erroneously believing that they are human beings with material bodies inhabiting the simulated/emulated environment.
(iii) In John C. Wright's The Golden Age, although the AIs do not have time travel, they can in a very real sense invite the past and future to a festival: AI constructs of historical figures and of inhabitants of projected future histories. Thus, the latter are conscious fictional characters - who might even believe that they are real time travellers?
The mind most definitely boggles.
"Take the red pill...."
ReplyDeleteKaor, Paul!
ReplyDeleteI'm VERY glad you found John Wright's THE GOLDEN AGE so interesting and worthy of comment. I was a bit hesitant recommending the book to you.
Sean
Paul:
ReplyDeleteThe notion of "conscious programs erroneously believing that they are human beings with material bodies inhabiting the simulated/emulated environment" reminded me of what happened in at least one of the *Star Trek: The Next Generation* episodes set in the ship's holodeck.
Captain Picard was enjoying a holodeck experience in which he played the role of a detective from a 1930s novel, when outside interference caused those characters who were produced by the holodeck to develop a limited degree of artificial intelligence. They became AWARE of the fact that they were characters in a computer program, playing out a story.
There's a scene at the end with one of them, speaking to Picard, who mentions that he has a wife and child, and wonders what happens not just to him but to them when the program is shut down. It raised the question: if the programmed character has become self-aware, how is shutting him down different from KILLING him?
Picard was clearly disturbed by that thought.
DAvid,
DeleteA moral question that Asimov ignores in his Robot stories.
Paul.