Let's try a proof by contradiction: begin by assuming that potatoes have the ability to think, then derive a contradiction using logical inferences.
If a potato had the ability to think it would find my personality respulsive, as any thinking creature does.
If a potato found me repulsive, they would do everything in their power to locomote away from me, or at the least not attempt to take root.
Based on the potatoes that I purchased at the supermarket last week and forgot about, I can say that potatoes will attempt to take root in my presence, a fact incompatible with sentience. We've arrived at a contradiction, therefore potatoes lack sentience.
If only we could cozzen the oligarchs into thinking that potatoes are a better source of power for the A.I. data centers, we could avoid a 'Matrix' style dystopia.
Is it being self-aware? Is it responding to stimuli? Is it having brainwaves, or just a brain?
Then you have to ask if thought is something we would always recognize. Could something think in a way that is totally recognizable to us but is still thought? Do computers think? Why or why not?
11 Comments
DarrinBrunner@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 171d
josephc@lemmy.ml · 11 pts · 171d
Let's try a proof by contradiction: begin by assuming that potatoes have the ability to think, then derive a contradiction using logical inferences.
If a potato had the ability to think it would find my personality respulsive, as any thinking creature does.
If a potato found me repulsive, they would do everything in their power to locomote away from me, or at the least not attempt to take root.
Based on the potatoes that I purchased at the supermarket last week and forgot about, I can say that potatoes will attempt to take root in my presence, a fact incompatible with sentience. We've arrived at a contradiction, therefore potatoes lack sentience.
one_old_coder@piefed.social · 8 pts · 171d
Try to create a potato-powered AI. It will be as smart as the average human being.
TraipsersWill@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 170d
If only we could cozzen the oligarchs into thinking that potatoes are a better source of power for the A.I. data centers, we could avoid a 'Matrix' style dystopia.
ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 171d
First you have to define what "think" is.
Is it being self-aware? Is it responding to stimuli? Is it having brainwaves, or just a brain?
Then you have to ask if thought is something we would always recognize. Could something think in a way that is totally recognizable to us but is still thought? Do computers think? Why or why not?
AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 171d
That’s your answer right there—just define thinking as whatever a potato doesn’t.
Zachariah@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 171d
Remember_the_tooth@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 171d
EEG?
Kolanaki@pawb.social · 3 pts · 171d
Just start talking.
MantisToboggon@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 171d
You're mom won't have sex with them.
actionjbone@sh.itjust.works · 7 pts · 171d
Anything can be a dildo if you're brave enough.