ALS Topic
19 -
How real is the 4th Industrial Revolution to you?
Focus questions for Adelaide Lunchtime
Seminar, 13 October 2018 Venue: · Adelaide
(https://www.meetup.com/AdelaideLunchtimeSeminar/ )
Note:
About Focus Questions: a) Please read them before you come to the
meetup. Think about them so you have more than "instant opinions" to
offer. b) Feel free to add more focus questions. c) THE FOCUS
QUESTIONS ARE JUST A MENU TO CHOOSE FROM. From this menu we can
discuss whatever seems interesting. d) Focus questions are not
intended to push one viewpoint! You can adopt any position you wish.
We actually like friendly disagreement - it can lead to deeper
understanding.
Focus Questions
Background: The 1st Industrial
Revolution (England, 18th Century) took people off the land and put
them into factories run by steam engines. The second Industrial
Revolution (1870-1914) brought sophisticated engineering, gas, water
& sewerage systems, electricity, the telegraph, the first mass
production lines, and globalization (the planetary movement of
goods, ideas and people). The Third Industrial Revolution (starting
1980s) brought the change from analogue & mechanical devices to
digital technology: computers, the Internet etc. The Fourth
Industrial Revolution embeds technology within societies & human
bodies in new ways: robotics, artificial intelligence,
nanotechnology, quantum computing, biotechnology, The Internet of
Things (IoT), 3D printing and autonomous vehicles etc. 4IR is
surrounding us, but is not fully in public awareness.
1. 20%
of prisoners in some American states get bail or parole decided by a
computer algorithm. It predicts the likelihood of re-offence 30%
better than judges. Nobody, including programmers, knows how such
algorithms actually arrive at their decisions. Would you prefer to
be jailed (or not) by an algorithm? What could go wrong with this?
2. There are now artificial intelligence programs to select
candidates for jobs. Nobody really knows how the algorithms arrive
at their decisions. Would you be comfortable having your application
decided like this? Why or why not?
3. More and more choices
of increasing importance are being decided by AI algorithms in
government departments and large businesses. The algorithms are
'black boxes' - nobody knows how they decide. What do you think the
outcomes of this kind of algorithmic takeover of human decisions are
likely to be?
4. Almost all AI algorithms are proprietary -
protected by copyright secrecy laws - so their decisions cannot be
independently assessed, even by experts. What sort of protections do
you think are needed to guard us against machine decisions gone
wrong?
5. Complex goods like cars and computers all combine
components from many different countries (uh, Trump doesn't
understand this..). However many items can now be created locally by
3D printing. For example, Adidas is going to mass produce 3D printed
shoes. A company in China 3D printed 10 one storey homes in 24
hours. This kind of technology a) eliminates most workers; b) can be
set up in any country fairly cheaply. What effect do you think this
will have on our societies and trade patterns?
6. Nano
technology has the power to totally change our environment and
lives. It could also get out of control. For example there are nano
engines now a fraction of the width of a human hair. Swarms of those
could go roaming inside our bodies, for good or ill. What sort of
applications and risks do you think might emerge for nano
technology?
7. Limitless energy is technically within reach
now. It just requires sufficient investment and cooperation.
Countries with vast oil reserves have often experienced negative
cultural effects. Limitless anything is usually bad for the human
psych. What do you think will happen when there are no constraints
on the use of energy?
8. Converging technologies are making
it possible to manipulate biology in many ways. Food can be created
artificially. Animals can increasingly be modified to satisfy
'market' demands. Humans themselves will enjoy individualized
medicine, but also be modified in more and more ways. These changes
are lapping at our feet already. How far are you prepared personally
to participate in such modified biology, as a consumer and as a
remade creature?
9. You phone camera or TV can watch you,
even if you turn them off. Your washing machine can listen to you.
One outcome of converging technologies is that 'security' is no
longer about your security (if it ever was). You may remain safely
unnoticed in the crowd, but when push comes to shove, only
organizations have secrets. You have none. Have you adapted in any
way to being totally exposed? Do you plan to?
10. Many
workplaces are about to change drastically. An agent of change where
physical things are involved is the cobot. Cobots are robots
designed to work side by side with humans. They are small, mobile
and teachable, with built-in "don't harm humans" features. Current
versions appeared about 2015, an cost an average of US$24,000. What
are some employment sites in Adelaide where you could put a cobot to
work?
11. The first three Industrial Revolutions led to
incredible cultural and social changes. These revolutions also
magnified the evil and stupidity that humans are capable of. For
example we had ravaging world wars. So where will the 4th Industrial
Revolution take us as a species, and more personally, how will our
grandchildren relate to us in 50 year's time?
-----------------------------
Comments & Extra Reading
"Love in the time of AI" Oscar Schwartz, The
Guardian (29 September 2018) @
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/sep/26/mystic-messenger-dating-simulations-sims-digital-intimacy
Matthew Chin (August 02, 2018) "UCLA engineers develop
artificial intelligence device that identifies objects at the speed
of light". UCLA Newsroom @
http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-engineers-artificial-intelligence-device-identifies-objects-speed-of-light
[fascinating article with some almost scary implications. These
things can be made by a 3D printer for less than US$50]
Cathy
O'Neil "Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases
Inequality and Threatens Democracy". Published by Crown, 2016. ebook
& paper book formats. @ Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Weapons-Math-Destruction-Increases-Inequality/dp/0553418815
- Why this book for this topic of the human herd? Big data is not
about individual differences, but about grouping you and everything
else into patterns of "predictable" mass tendency based on past
occurrences. O'Neil who is a data mathematician shows, chillingly,
how your life opportunities are shaped without your knowledge
according to machine predictions which are repeatedly wrong. The
data models are opaque, proprietary, and rarely changed. Nobody,
including the programmers, understands how decisions are arrived at.
These models control whether you get a job, get into university, get
a loan, stay out of jail, get the health care you need ... and
thousands of other issues. You are being managed as part of a herd,
unless you are rich and can buy individual attention ....
"Industry 4.0" Wikipedia @
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industry_4.0
Daniel
Oberhaus (March 29 2017) "The Fourth Industrial Revolution could
bring mass global unemployment" The Ouline website @
https://theoutline.com/post/1316/fourth-industrial-revolution-developing-economies
Felicity Caldwell (April 27 2017)
"Robots will wipe out backpacker jobs within five years: Campbell
Newman" Brisbane Times @
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/robots-will-wipe-out-backpacker-jobs-within-five-years-campbell-newman-20170427-gvu5r0.html
"The meaning of life in a world without work - As technology
renders jobs obsolete, what will keep us busy?" Yuval Noah Harari
examines ‘the useless class’ and a new quest for purpose" The
Guardian @
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/may/08/virtual-reality-religion-robots-sapiens-book?CMP=fb_gu
Christopher Knaus (3 October 2017) "Who should die when a
driverless car crashes? Q&A ponders the future" The Guardian @
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/oct/03/who-should-die-when-a-driverless-car-crashes-qa-ponders-the-future
Olivia Solon (23 December 2016) "World’s largest hedge fund
to replace managers with artificial intelligence" The Guardian @
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/22/bridgewater-associates-ai-artificial-intelligence-management
Klaus Schwab "The Fourth Industrial Revolution: what it
means, how to respond" World Economic Forum @
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/the-fourth-industrial-revolution-what-it-means-and-how-to-respond
Angela Monaghan (16 July 2018) "Global workforce will be
decimated by fourth revolution, says Siemens boss" The Guardian @
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jul/15/global-workforce-will-be-decimated-by-fourth-revolution-says-siemens-boss
Science Daily (September 27, 2018) "How swarms of
nanomachines could improve the efficiency of any machine" University
of Luxembourg @
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180927122952.htm
Science Daily (September 27, 2018) "Sugar-powered sensor
developed to detect, prevent disease - Cell runs on glucose from
body fluids" Washington State University @
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180927145339.htm
Shelly Fan (19 February 2017) "This One-Cent Lab-on-a-Chip
Can Diagnose Cancer and Infections" Singularity Hub website @
https://singularityhub.com/2017/02/19/one-cent-lab-on-a-chip-can-detect-cancer-and-infections/
Australian Associated Press (18 Jun 2018) The Sydney
biohacker who fell foul of the law when he implanted a NSW travel
card chip into his arm says “cyborg justice has been served” after a
court overturned his conviction" @
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jun/18/man-who-implanted-opal-travel-card-chip-has-conviction-overturned
Peter Burrows (October 2016) "The future is ear: Why
“hearables” are finally tech’s next big thing The explosive growth
of their AI voice assistants has Google, Apple, and Amazon racing to
put your entire smartphone in an earpiece". Fast Company website @
https://www.fastcompany.com/90212065/the-future-is-ear-why-hearables-are-finally-techs-next-big-thing
Robin McKie (6 May 2018 ) "No death and an enhanced life: Is
the future transhuman?" The Guardian @
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/06/no-death-and-an-enhanced-life-is-the-future-transhuman
Tamara Avellán (March 22, 2017) "The world needs more
toilets – but not ones that flush - A third of the world’s
population still lacks access to proper sanitation facilities, but
if people do get them water and sanitation problems will arise".
Asia Times @
http://www.atimes.com/article/world-needs-toilets-not-ones-flush/
Benjamin Haas (4 April 2017) "Chinese man 'marries' robot he
built himself" The Guardian @
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/04/chinese-man-marries-robot-built-himself
Cynthia Karena (12 August 2017) "How 3D scanners are
democratising reality capture". Brisbane Times @
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/how-3d-scanners-are-democratising-reality-capture-20170811-gxu9b0.html
Emma Thomasson and Aleksandra Michalska (APRIL 7, 2017 )
"Adidas to mass-produce 3D-printed shoe with Silicon Valley
start-up" Reuters @
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-adidas-manufacturing-idUSKBN1790F6
Hu Dongmei and Zhang Xiaomin (24 July 2018) "First
10,000-ton-level casting 3D printing smart factory goes into
operation in Yinchuan" China Daily @
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201807/24/WS5b569269a31031a351e8fc32.html
Aaron Frank (Feb 03, 2017) "The Surprisingly Simple
Invention That Allows Robots to Make Clothes" Singularity Hub
website @
https://singularityhub.com/2017/02/03/the-surprisingly-simple-invention-that-allows-robots-to-make-clothes/
Benedict Evans (June 22, 2018) "Ways to think about machine
learning" Blog @
https://www.ben-evans.com/benedictevans/2018/06/22/ways-to-think-about-machine-learning-8nefy
David Wroe (2 July 2018) "Top cyber spy warns against
dependence on artificial intelligence we don't understand" Brisbane
Times @
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/federal/top-cyber-spy-warns-against-dependence-on-artificial-intelligence-we-don-t-understand-20180702-p4zp1y.html
Thomas Wilson (October 27, 2017) "We’ll
All Be Relying on Congo to Power Our Electric Cars" Bloomberg @
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-26/battery-boom-relies-on-one-african-nation-avoiding-chaos-of-past
Asia Times (25 July 2018) "China’s ‘brain-boosting’ helmets
to give some a head start - Scientists put their thinking caps on
and came up with headwear that boosts the memory and makes you feel
less stressed. It may be a lucrative" @
http://www.atimes.com/article/chinas-brain-boosting-helmets-to-give-some-a-head-start/
Adam Piore (November 30, 2017) "The Surgeon Who Wants to
Connect You to the Internet with a Brain Implant - Eric Leuthardt
believes that in the near future we will allow doctors to insert
electrodes into our brains so we can communicate directly with
computers and each other". Technology Review @
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/609232/the-surgeon-who-wants-to-connect-you-to-the-internet-with-a-brain-implant/
Esther Han (10 June 2018) "This humble Australian bee is
helping to disrupt the plastics industry" Brisbane Times @
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/this-humble-australian-bee-is-helping-to-disrupt-the-plastics-industry-20180530-p4zic7.html
U Tejonmayam (Jan 19, 2017) "Cow’s urine can help clean air"
Times of India @
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/not-from-a-minister-cows-urine-can-help-clean-air/articleshow/56653445.cms
ian beutler - i would do better to trust even a commercial
adventurer like Elon M. than i'd trust my life to any machine. I
even think i'd like a cup of coffee with him. BUT!, - as for
marrying a robot.. well.. one could do worse...? & Trust those
Hindus to find a purpose for cow-pee..
reply - Thor May - You
trust your life to a machine every time you get in a car or turn on
a light switch. Computers fly any plane you board (pilots are mostly
decoration). Go near any hospital and life & death decisions will be
made about you by an algorithm...
ian beutler - in the
absolute sense of crse u are correct, Thor. I ws meaning in the
general, broadest sense. we are all trapped in the absolute sense.
it's a matter of, to use that weird term, "harm-minimisation" - but
to which I'd like to add "äs-much-as-poss-in-practice.." I like that
ref. to bees above! Ppl. are getting too alienated fr. Nature! Talk
ab. a truly hellish jungle! & Too many humans are becoming something
less than!
Thor May - The first “social network” of brains
lets three people transmit thoughts to each other’s heads
Emerging Technology from the arXiv (September 29, 2018) MIT
Technology Review @
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/612212/the-first-social-network-of-brains-lets-three-people-transmit-thoughts-to-each-others-heads/
Brant Cumming (18 September 2018)
"Social credit is like a personal scorecard for each of China’s 1.4
billion citizens. In one pilot program already in place, each
citizen has been assigned a score out of 800. In other programs it’s
900. Those, like Dandan, with top “citizen scores” get VIP treatment
at hotels and airports, cheap loans and a fast track to the best
universities and jobs... Those at the bottom can be locked out of
society and banned from travel, or barred from getting credit or
government jobs." Australian Broadcasting Commission @
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-09-18/china-social-credit-a-model-citizen-in-a-digital-dictatorship/10200278
Ian Burrows (6 October 2018) "Made in China 2025: Xi
Jinping's plan to turn China into the AI world leader". Australian
Broadcasting Commission @
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-06/china-plans-to-become-ai-world-leader/10332614
Thor May - Cal Newport (October 3rd, 2018) "On the Law of
Diminishing Specialization - ..new technology made it possible for
managers and professionals to tackle administrative tasks that used
to require dedicated support staff... The negative impact was that
it reduced the ability of managers and professionals to spend
concentrated time working on the things they did best... [Example
from comments: "This is very definitely at work in the medical
field. Electronic medical records (EMRs) have turned physicians into
data and order entry clerks. They now spend significant portions of
their time serving the EMR master." Cal Newport blog @
http://calnewport.com/blog/2018/10/03/on-the-law-of-diminishing-specialization/
Thor May - "4th Industrial Revolution"
obviously has soundbite promo' value for politicians. Here is an
article that says absolutely zero about the 4th Industrial
Revolution: David Crowe (7 October 2018) "The 'fourth industrial
revolution' will change the world: Julie Bishop". Brisbane Times @
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/federal/the-fourth-industrial-revolution-will-change-the-world-julie-bishop-20181007-p5089s.html
ian beutler - looks like u've had fun with this one, Thor..
even to scratching the bottom of the barrel...(??).. any more? heh..
anyway .. TODAY is the proverbial "HARVEST TIME" (Matt. 13 30 et
sequ).. and when the chickens come home to roost.. (nice mixed
metaphors ..)
Sarah Dai (08 October, 2018) "AI promises
jobs revolution but first it needs old-fashioned manual labour –
from China" South China Morning Post [Hong Kong] @
https://www.scmp.com/tech/article/2166655/ai-promises-jobs-revolution-first-it-needs-old-fashioned-manual-labour-china
ian beutler - well.. i ws never made fr that.. but i'm quite
sure the workers are grateful..
Siddharth Samarth - I am more
accepting of AI from the point of view that personally, I do not
have the competence, ability and strength to stop this change from
arriving. However, I am anxious and nervous as to what this
technology/way of decision making brings to my life. I see a few
people with knowledge of this stuff decide for billions and billions
of humanity. I see governments hiding behind AI to wash their hands
off accountability, transparency and public service in the name of
"smart government". The choice and ability of common citizens are
increasingly being standardized. The data generated by everyday
bloke is being used against them, while someone makes hay. It is the
old peasantry, worker toiling on land owned by the landlord, produce
stuff, and landlord takes home everything.
Thor May -
Siddharth, it is the eternal contest amongst human types played out
in a new arena. With a few exceptions, the traditional money-power
elites aren't that bright with AI technology themselves. Initially
they may hire the services of the technologically savvy, just as
they seduced the managerial class. However I suspect that the
techies as a group may in the end be harder to buy than managers,
and turn their skills to subverting tyranny. For example, see the
writer of "Weapons of Math Destruction" above. Interesting times.
ian beutler - ..that is a most sociably equitable remark, in
which sentiments i share. it seems to me that only an uprising of,
not the proletariat, but the commentariat, must prevail. I've been
working for this for a long time now, but so far there is not a
sufficient number awakening to it all.... yet.
Siddharth, In
1973 the phenomenon of re-combining DNA /Molecular cloning was
realised, the advantages to this technology was considered
overwhelmingly beneficial to humans but it was deemed the misuse of
this technology could be as equally damaging, Ethicists speculated
on difficulties that might arise in a world where human clones
exist. The American Association for the Advancement of Science and
other scientific organisations made public statements suggesting
that human cloning be banned, in short guidelines were enforced...
initiated by the concerns of those that hold to their humanity and
as to how this technology could proceed, to this date we gain the
benefits of this technology without the devastation of misuse.
Siddharth Samarth - I don't deny the possibility of benefits to
humanity. I accept there are positives to be harvested. I am saying
I would like to see empowerment of everyday folks to protect
themselves from excesses of the state and the tech companies. Data
warehousing is a monopoly, and like any monopoly, they have
concentration of power, and exposure to corrupt influences. Too much
power in the hands of too few. Also, it is too much one way. Why
don't citizens get access to granular data of their elected
representatives and oligarchs? I argue that there should be a level
playing field. It is a challenge for experts to design a solution
that gives equal power in the hands of citizens. I am afraid it is
looking very Orwellian for now, if you look at what is happening in
India and China
Sue C - The 4th Industrial revolution will
not only change what we do, it will change what we are, many believe
it will be the end of humanity....blurring the lines of what is
natural and what is enhanced, Intelligence is a computational
process that is formulated inside a language that can be transformed
to the logic of a computer, and as we have observed this
intelligence is limitless, but chips of silicone do not share human
values or have sympathies for the human race,..... and yet we have
no guidelines,,,,,,WOW?? there are many that have concerns, and
there is no-one so small they cannot contribute to the future of
humanity... empower yourself with knowledge and be persistant
ian beutler - i managed the environment info. centre for ten yrs
fr. 1972. it ws. set up even be4 the govt. set up their dept "for"
[=destroying] it.. we were smashed by the invincible pwr. of
mass-human- ignorance... questions most welcome... haha.. esp. from
commies..(coffcoff)
Thor May - For just US$199 you can invite
the world to automatically track you in your bedroom. Interested?
Alex Hern (9 October 2018) "Facebook Portal smart screen to launch
amid concerns over privacy". The Guardian @
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/oct/08/facebook-portal-smart-screen-to-launch-amid-concerns-over-privacy
ian beutler - ohh.. i'm so glad i'm wearing my tin-foil hat
quite regularly these days...
Thor May - Julie Power (8
October 2018) "Candid camera: What drivers are really doing behind
the wheel" Brisbane Times @
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/candid-camera-what-drivers-are-really-doing-behind-the-wheel-20181004-p507sj.html
- there are some risks, probably a lot of risks, that AI is going to
save dumb humans from. For example, AI in autonomous vehicles. The
trouble is, without risk people become ever more careless, and ever
more self-righteous where a failure when it happens is
someone/something else's fault. [postcript on accidents: working in
China in 1998 I learned that the DAILY road death rate there was
640, with 42,000 daily casualties. A war zone. Maybe things have
improved (?)]
ian beutler - where 'd we be without optimists
like you, Thor?
Thor May - The dark side(s) of AI: Artificial
intelligence and its enabling technology is multiplying the ability
of anonymous government operatives to monitor the lives of ordinary
people. This is euphemistically called 'security' (not yours or
mine). In 2013 Edward Snowden revealed that America's National
Intelligence Agency was basically tracking everyone's phone calls.
This has not stopped. Other national governments have been eager to
imitate. We know about the Russians. Also the Chinese. The bulk of
computer hardware comes from China. It seems they have been
hardwiring back doors into server motherboards: Peter Hartcher (8
October 2018) "'Stealth doorway': China's stunning server hack shows
its true hand" Brisbane Times @
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/stealth-doorway-china-s-stunning-server-hack-shows-its-true-hand-20181008-p508co.html
[.. and on my latest cheap(er) phone from China I had to remove and
replace the operating system to get rid of the bloody spyware... ]
ian beutler - khakhaa.. (filthy guffaws, &[pretend] apologies).
i've thought on this a while, Thor. Wht we gotta do is enlist the
essential HUMANITY!.. that is at the ROOT of ALL we do!
Thor
May - The veracity of the claim for actual motherboard hacks claimed
has been hotly denied by IT majors like Apple, as well as Western
security agencies. Of course the IT majors would face devastating
financial class actions if it were true. If not true and a false
flag operation, it would also look pretty dumb unless you were
somebody like Putin playing a game of havoc. For the tech counter
arguments, see
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/10/08/super_micro_us_uk_intelligence/
Reply... ian beutler - glossed this, Thor, & get the general
idea. the sufis have an interesting saying: sometimes, even the
most crooked jeweller may sell the genuine stone. i think bloomberg
thought they were pretty safe. isn't it called kite-flying, like our
polis often do?
Thor May - It is basic research which has
made innovation and hence the 4th Industrial Revolution possible. It
is in the nature of such research that there are always many false
starts, sometimes lasting decades (my own earlier research involved
some of this). Such stuff doesn't get media or public attention, and
is typically considered 'a waste of money'. Now we are at a point
where some actionable results can be obtained from AI research. This
does get attention, and in the language of money, involves company
startups. Many, many of these will fail, some will soar. General
public psychology in Australia is poorly adapted to both the basic
research, and to the high risks of business startups. Here is some
proof: Alan Boyd, Sydney (October 9) "East vs West in a race for AI
supremacy". Asia Times @
http://www.atimes.com/article/east-vs-west-in-a-race-for-ai-supremacy/
. You will see that the rank of Australia (27 AI startups) is very
poor. Yet tiny Israel with only 8.4 million people has an
extraordinary 362 AI startups. America has 1393 AI startups, and
China (PRC) has 383 AI startups. (An important point in the
referenced article is that Asian AI startups are creating future
problems for themselves by refusing to participate in global
agreements for setting standards).
ian beutler - can i
suggest that for aust that many is extraordinarily good?.. even
gives me some hope..
ABC (12 October 2018) "In an unnerving
move bringing us one step closer to Black Mirror's dystopian world,
engineering and robotics design firm Boston Dynamics has introduced
its Atlas robot to parkour." [includes a scary video] Australian
Broadcasting Commission @
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-12/boston-dynamics-atlas-robot-shows-off-parkour-skills/10370444
Thor May - 12 October 2018 - Human societies are the human
body writ large. We have about 32 trillion human cells, a
scaffolding of little animals compelled to cooperate. But the other
58% of our presence is a vast army of hangers-on: bacteria, viruses,
fungii, and god knows what else. We've gotten to the point where we
can't live without a lot of this mob. They control our digestion,
they manage the flood of chemicasl that flood our brains, they rush
into every corner of the cheap hotel which is us. Armies of them
mount defences and attack invaders. They work with our built-in
immune system to keep us working. Other armies of them are trying to
kick down the doors and break the windows. Our body is a turbulent
presence. And when you look at those rickety constructions which are
human societies you see a ghostly imitation of what is happening
inside of us. When it comes to ants and honey bees, they have
externalized the internal much more thoroughly than we have. So how
far do we want to go down this path of being one monstrous social
organism? How much help do we want from technology to go in this
direction?
Thor's
own websites:
1. articles at
http://independent.academia.edu/ThorMay
;
2.
legacy site: http://thormay.net
.
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