0:00:17.874,0:00:20.724
The speed and power[br]of the average computer processor

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is doubling every two and a half years.

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If this rate of progression continues,

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we could create a conscious,[br]self-aware computer by the year 2045,

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and this point in time[br]is called the singularity,

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which is the point when a computer[br]becomes smarter than us.

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In this talk I'll be focusing[br]on the fact that this computer

0:00:42.382,0:00:45.271
could be conscious; so is this possible?

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First of all, though we don't know what[br]part of the brain is responsible

0:00:48.713,0:00:51.054
for consciousness[br]and much less how it works,

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we do know this much;

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your brain is a computer.

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It sends signals[br]back and forth like wires,

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it has different parts for doing[br]different patterns of things,

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and it has tiny parts call neurons,

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that are very comparable[br]to transistors in a computer.

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There are parts for memory,[br]computation, sensing, and more,

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and they all communicate[br]with each other.

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So, for what we know,[br]with enough money, research, and time

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we could do this.

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And if we could do this,[br]couldn't aliens species do this, too?

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Imagine a super-intelligent alien species.

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This specie is thousands[br]of years ahead of us,

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in almost all aspects of technology.[br]

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It decides to create[br]a full universe of simulation,

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accurate down to the Planck length,

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which is the smallest conceivable[br]distance in the universe.

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The reasons for doing something[br]like this could vary,

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but some possibilities are:

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one, for a dying civilization.

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To create a full universe simulation[br]to test ways to do things

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that could be risky and see their effects[br]on the universe as a whole.

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To experiment with different[br]possible laws of physics,

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and to see their effect[br]on the universe as a whole,

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or to just entertain a few individuals.

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There's also a possibility that requires[br]a less advanced society,

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one that is just recently passed[br]the 2045 singularity,

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and they are just researching[br]on a few people

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in a controlled simulating environment[br]for research and/or entertainment.

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By now you might be thinking[br]

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that what I've been talking about[br]is the main idea of this talk.

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Ultimately, however, the big take-away[br]I would like to leave you with tonight

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is that dismissing ideas[br]that seem unrealistic

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does not help us solve[br]the major problems in the world.

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Think about it.

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So many ideas that now[br]have became mainstream knowledge,

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like global warming, evolution,[br]the existence of irrational numbers,

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the big bang theory, the fact[br]that the earth revolves around the sun,

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that the universe is larger[br]that just our solar system,

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these were all originally considered[br]stupid and/or unrealistic ideas.

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Statistically, there's a better chance[br]that they do exist but they're not,

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but it's hard to prove or disprove.

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So, remember: any idea,[br]no matter how unrealistic,

0:03:01.662,0:03:02.642
isn't impossible,

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and that sometimes, to solve[br]the major problems in the world,

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you need to come up[br]with unrealistic ideas,

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as those ideas could change[br]the world, as we know it.

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Thank you.

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(Applause)