Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 37, No. 307.
Department of Digital Humanities, University of Cologne
Hosted by DH-Cologne
www.dhhumanist.org
Submit to: humanist@dhhumanist.org
Date: 2023-11-13 10:52:42+00:00
From: Dominic Oldman <dominic.oldman@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Humanist] 37.297: human brains and human inventions
The quote I took is at the top of the first chapter of a book called "The
way we think" by Fauconnier and Turner (Cognitive Science). It describes a
theory called Cognitive Blending, a feature (in theory) of human thinking.
They point out that computers find it very hard to even identify
(generally) things - which in itself I would argue is a reductive
objective. The difference between a tent and a computer is the design
vision. Babbage's intent (and where most of the computer research money has
gone) was to create intelligent machines that could replace humans -
although the objective of tents, cabins and spears does talk to a
fundamental need for human shelter and food. Our conception of science -
theory and method - have changed fundamentally (e.g. see Stephen Gould) -
have the underlying principles of computers changed accordingly?
I disagree that history is always incremental. Again, Gould is good on this
subject.
If you were to design a BS detector - (I assume a type of AI computer
system) is it only fair that it should be designed at detecting any BS from
any source?
But we don't need one in forum's like this. It's a collaborative learning
space based on constructive criticism.
I note Willard's email.
My apologies.
Dominic
On Sat, 11 Nov 2023 at 06:56, Humanist <humanist@dhhumanist.org> wrote:
>
> Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 37, No. 297.
> Department of Digital Humanities, University of Cologne
> Hosted by DH-Cologne
> www.dhhumanist.org
> Submit to: humanist@dhhumanist.org
>
>
> [1] From: Tim Smithers <tim.smithers@cantab.net>
> Subject: Re: [Humanist] 37.296: human brains and human
> inventions (63)
>
> [2] From: James Rovira <jamesrovira@gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Humanist] 37.296: human brains and human
> inventions (22)
>
>
>
> --[1]------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Date: 2023-11-10 08:43:48+00:00
> From: Tim Smithers <tim.smithers@cantab.net>
> Subject: Re: [Humanist] 37.296: human brains and human inventions
>
> > On 10 Nov 2023, at 06:57, Humanist <humanist@dhhumanist.org> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 37, No. 296.
> > Department of Digital Humanities, University of Cologne
> > Hosted by DH-Cologne
> > www.dhhumanist.org
> > Submit to: humanist@dhhumanist.org
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Date: 2023-11-08 13:33:06+00:00
> > From: Henry Schaffer <hes@ncsu.edu>
> > Subject: Re: [Humanist] 37.292: computational science is part of
> the
> problem
> >
> > How could humans have invented tents, stone walls, spear points, and log
> > cabins "when our human brains do not operate that way"?
> > --henry
> >
>
> ... because it's not just about having brains. It's about
> being autonomous, [physically] embodied, [real world]
> situated, community living, beings.
>
> -- Tim
>
>
> > On Wed, Nov 8, 2023 at 2:09 AM Humanist <humanist@dhhumanist.org> wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 37, No. 292.
> >> Department of Digital Humanities, University of Cologne
> >> Hosted by DH-Cologne
> >> www.dhhumanist.org
> >> Submit to: humanist@dhhumanist.org
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Date: 2023-11-07 09:40:38+00:00
> >> From: Dominic Oldman <dominic.oldman@gmail.com>
> >> Subject: A quote and question about designing information systems
> >>
> >> “It is far more useful to view computational science as part of the
> >> problem, rather than the solution. The problem is understanding how
> humans
> >> can have invented explicit, algorithmically driven machines when our
> human
> >> brains do not operate that way. The solution, if it ever comes, will be
> >> found looking inside ourselves”. Merlin Donald.
> >> -----
> >>
> >> How does this impact the design of digital information systems? I don't
> say
> >> humanities information systems because I think we reached the stage some
> >> time ago, in terms of how knowledge is, and should be generated, that
> the
> >> problem is universal across all disciplines, given the current status of
> >> what science is.
> >>
> >>
> >> Dominic Oldman
> >> Kartography CIC
> >> http://www.kartography.org
>
>
>
> --[2]------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Date: 2023-11-10 19:12:50+00:00
> From: James Rovira <jamesrovira@gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Humanist] 37.296: human brains and human inventions
>
> Right. I really wish there were better BS detectors out there when it came
> to claims about computers, computing, and related technologies. There are
> relatively easy answers to all of these questions, and none of them require
> "looking inside ourselves." Spend five minutes talking to a historian or
> archaeologist. Or start with this phrase: incrementally over time.
>
> I acknowledge the problems with reading a quotation out of context. I'm
> curious what "the problem" Is.
>
> Jim R
>
>
> --
> Dr. James Rovira <http://www.jamesrovira.com/>
>
> - *David Bowie and Romanticism
> <https://jamesrovira.com/2022/09/02/david-bowie-and-romanticism/>*,
> Palgrave Macmillan, 2022
> - *Women in Rock, Women in Romanticism
> <https://www.routledge.com/Women-in-Rock-Women-in-Romanticism-The-
> Emancipation-of-Female-Will/Rovira/p/book/9781032069845
> <https://www.routledge.com/Women-in-Rock-Women-in-Romanticism-The-
Emancipation-of-Female-Will/Rovira/p/book/9781032069845>
> >*,
> Routledge, 2023
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