Podcast of the Cybernetic Marxists. Examining the intersection of Technology, (Left) Politics, and Philosophy
Episodes
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
In which we are joined by Ezri of Swampside Chats, to continue our discussion of "Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgement to Calculation" by Joseph Weizenbaum.
Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgment to Calculation (1976) by Joseph Weizenbaum displays the author's ambivalence towards computer technology and lays out the case that while artificial intelligence may be possible, we should never allow computers to make important decisions because computers will always lack human qualities such as compassion and wisdom.
Weizenbaum makes the crucial distinction between deciding and choosing. Deciding is a computational activity, something that can ultimately be programmed. It is the capacity to choose that ultimately makes one a human being. Choice, however, is the product of judgment, not calculation. Comprehensive human judgment is able to include non-mathematical factors such as emotions. Judgment can compare apples and oranges, and can do so without quantifying each fruit type and then reductively quantifying each to factors necessary for mathematical comparison.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
- Computer Power and Human Reason on Wikipedia
- Weizenbaum's Nightmares, on The Guardian
- Inside the Very Human Origin of the Term “Artificial Intelligence”
- General Intellect Unit on iTunes
- http://generalintellectunit.net
- Support the show on Patreon
- https://twitter.com/giunitpod
- General Intellect Unit on Facebook
- General Intellect Unit on archive.org
- Emancipation Network
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
Thursday Nov 09, 2023
In which we are joined by Ezri of Swampside Chats, to begin a series on "Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgement to Calculation" by Joseph Weizenbaum.
Computer Power and Human Reason: From Judgment to Calculation (1976) by Joseph Weizenbaum displays the author's ambivalence towards computer technology and lays out the case that while artificial intelligence may be possible, we should never allow computers to make important decisions because computers will always lack human qualities such as compassion and wisdom.
Weizenbaum makes the crucial distinction between deciding and choosing. Deciding is a computational activity, something that can ultimately be programmed. It is the capacity to choose that ultimately makes one a human being. Choice, however, is the product of judgment, not calculation. Comprehensive human judgment is able to include non-mathematical factors such as emotions. Judgment can compare apples and oranges, and can do so without quantifying each fruit type and then reductively quantifying each to factors necessary for mathematical comparison.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
- Computer Power and Human Reason on Wikipedia
- Weizenbaum's Nightmares, on The Guardian
- Inside the Very Human Origin of the Term “Artificial Intelligence”
- General Intellect Unit on iTunes
- http://generalintellectunit.net
- Support the show on Patreon
- https://twitter.com/giunitpod
- General Intellect Unit on Facebook
- General Intellect Unit on archive.org
- Emancipation Network
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
Thursday Sep 28, 2023
In which we finish our reading of "Entangled Life" by Merlin Sheldrake.
The more we learn about fungi, the less makes sense without them.
They can change our minds, heal our bodies and even help us avoid environmental disaster; they are metabolic masters, earth-makers and key players in most of nature's processes. In Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake takes us on a mind-altering journey into their spectacular world, and reveals how these extraordinary organisms transform our understanding of our planet and life itself.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Thursday Sep 07, 2023
Thursday Sep 07, 2023
In which we continue our reading of "Entangled Life" by Merlin Sheldrake.
The more we learn about fungi, the less makes sense without them.
They can change our minds, heal our bodies and even help us avoid environmental disaster; they are metabolic masters, earth-makers and key players in most of nature's processes. In Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake takes us on a mind-altering journey into their spectacular world, and reveals how these extraordinary organisms transform our understanding of our planet and life itself.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Monday Jul 03, 2023
Monday Jul 03, 2023
In which we read "Entangled Life" by Merlin Sheldrake.
The more we learn about fungi, the less makes sense without them.
They can change our minds, heal our bodies and even help us avoid environmental disaster; they are metabolic masters, earth-makers and key players in most of nature's processes. In Entangled Life, Merlin Sheldrake takes us on a mind-altering journey into their spectacular world, and reveals how these extraordinary organisms transform our understanding of our planet and life itself.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Wednesday May 24, 2023
Wednesday May 24, 2023
In which we read "Tree Stories" by Stefano Mancuso.
We'd like to thank everyone who has supported us through our first one hundred episodes, and we look forward to the next hundred.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Wednesday May 03, 2023
Wednesday May 03, 2023
In which we finish our reading of "Neither Vertical nor Horizontal", by Rodrigo Nunes.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
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Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
In which we continue our reading of "Neither Vertical nor Horizontal", by Rodrigo Nunes.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
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Saturday Mar 18, 2023
Saturday Mar 18, 2023
In which we continue our reading of "Neither Vertical nor Horizontal", by Rodrigo Nunes.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Saturday Mar 04, 2023
Saturday Mar 04, 2023
In which we read "Neither Vertical nor Horizontal", by Rodrigo Nunes.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
Links:
Monday Jan 23, 2023
Monday Jan 23, 2023
In which we read "The Ministry for the Future", a novel by Kim Stanley Robinson.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
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Monday Dec 12, 2022
Monday Dec 12, 2022
In which we read "The Peripheral", a novel by William Gibson
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
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Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
Tuesday Nov 08, 2022
In which we conclude our reading of "Internet for the People", by Ben Tarnoff.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
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Wednesday Oct 26, 2022
Wednesday Oct 26, 2022
In which we read "Internet for the People", by Ben Tarnoff.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
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Monday Sep 12, 2022
Monday Sep 12, 2022
In which we read "Agile and the Long Crisis of Software", by Miriam Posner.
If you like the show, consider supporting us on Patreon.
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