The AI Threat Isn’t Skynet. It’s the End of the Middle Class

a reply to: Apollumi

I had suggested to my former boss, one of the founders of a dee oh dee related company, about a very small type of drone. I said "I think you could make killer drones real cheap". All you need is something that could carry the weight of a 22 bullet and match the infrared profile of a person below it and find the head. Have the drones coordinate and pick individual targets. It could easily fit in the palm of your hand. The bullet faces down, drone flies over the person up to "x" ft above (or directly above) and fires. I think it could be done very very cheaply.

There was silence in the room and long stares.

Because it was already being developed? Or they were thinking about the untapped potential, like you and me.

Further, these drones could land near entrances to buildings, caves whatever and wait. Deploying miniature solar cells and go into sleep mode and wait for anyone to come outside then become active and attack.

How about following a tank around until it stops and the occupants get out?

How about hanging around an airbase , waiting for aircraft to land and the crew and pilots are walking back to the barracks?

Or waiting until the fuel truck arrives and begins refueling, then detonating a small shaped charge warhead to start fires that destroy aircraft or munitions on the flight line.

Or what till the bunker doors to the ammo dump are opened, fly inside and explode in contact with a crate of bombs?

The possibilities are endless, limited only by the softwares ingenuity and battery life span.

An entire base would get shut down by a hundred of these things hiding around, forcing personal to go on lock down and shelter in place inside.

Game over

a reply to: Snarl

Ok. I'm scared. Congratulations.

originally posted by: Justso
a reply to: Snarl

Ok. I'm scared. Congratulations.

Did you see the article in the news today about the robot flying the drone? That one had my mind going for a while.

Sure gives pause ....

Though I can add a few thoughts. Engineers are driven to create these
machines that are politically correct. This could eventually put them
out of business, or a set back. For instance, they want to create
machines that use hardly any water to wash dishes, and wash clothes.

I'd throw those machines out - had one that was worthless already.

Robots cant taste either, its a no contest win for the human.
Who's cooking?

Then there is the last option, its not illegal to terminate a machine.

originally posted by: Snarl

originally posted by: Justso
a reply to: Snarl

Ok. I'm scared. Congratulations.

Did you see the article in the news today about the robot flying the drone? That one had my mind going for a while.

Do you mean this one? Or is there another?

Robot goes rogue after being handed the controls to a drone

War machines are getting quite interesting, and yes, should be monitored. At least. But. Back to the topic: "The AI Threat Isn’t Skynet. It’s the End of the Middle Class."

Accepting that war machines are relevant, we still need to focus on the preceding 2 steps of this 3-step part of the strategy:

1. Replace humans with automation, robots etc., including the professional and middle classes, leaving humans without alternate and legal sources of income.

2. Thus, force the majority of humanity into starvation, homelessness, despair - and finally, revolt.

3. Loose the robo-dogs of war on the useless, discontinued masses.


There are two obvious and polarized ways to short-circuit the strategy at step 1, which is where we are now.

First is to stop automation dead in its tracks, and dial back the clock. Can't happen, and won't.

Second is to provide a universal basic income (UBI), and provide every individual and family the basic necessities of life. Most evaluations of the UBI plan look only at individual nations funding a UBI through taxation of the still-employed. Won't fly.

...The thing to remember is that we got here on the backs of of our ancestors, on their blood sweat and tears - and by raping our planet. The fruits of all that pain still are held in corporate accounts. If our ancestors' sacrifices are to mean anything at all, then we too should benefit from those fruits. And the time is now.

If we want to prevent the strategy from proceeding to steps 2 and 3, it's time to plan concretely and commit to a clear course of action. If we do not, then we will face the culling. First economic, then physical.

originally posted by: soficrow

originally posted by: Snarl

originally posted by: Justso
a reply to: Snarl

Ok. I'm scared. Congratulations.

Did you see the article in the news today about the robot flying the drone? That one had my mind going for a while.

Do you mean this one? Or is there another?

Robot goes rogue after being handed the controls to a drone

That's the one.

a reply to: Snarl

Meant to tag you my post above. Any comment?

a reply to: soficrow

I didn't look 'til now.

I think what you're talking about is like walking through the old 'house of mirrors'. There are lots of different directions to go ... maybe two or three ways out. To close out that analogy: I never liked going in there to begin with, though most people were thoroughly entertained.

At my age there isn't really any more music to face. I think even my kids may be beyond the harmful effects of emerging technologies and they didn't grace me and mom with any grandchildren.

Not quite a fan of UBI. Freebies are so abused. If there were firm/fixed penalties ... like banishment ... you might find me more receptive. Age and experience prove I am not a pessimist ... just a dude who sees things as they actually are.

Come get me when someone decides what the rules are, what the penalties are for breaking them (if it's in 'a range' don't bother me), and an assurance that the rule makers are not exempt from the rules ... then we can really talk.

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: soficrow


Since machines are programmed to fulfill the tasks programmed into them by the overlords, they will make them more lethal and more numerous.

This would be 100% accurate if we were talking about linear computing devices. With AI, there is nothing linear about them, not even the coding. Any AI you can experience now (ie., Siri, Cortana, et al) is not true AI. It would take quantum computing / computers to begin to approach a truly AI experience. With Siri though, as an example, it is very linear. The (very real) fear about AI is not in their "overlords" but in themselves becoming the overlords.

originally posted by: alphabetaone

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: soficrow


Since machines are programmed to fulfill the tasks programmed into them by the overlords, they will make them more lethal and more numerous.

This would be 100% accurate if we were talking about linear computing devices. With AI, there is nothing linear about them, not even the coding. Any AI you can experience now (ie., Siri, Cortana, et al) is not true AI. It would take quantum computing / computers to begin to approach a truly AI experience. With Siri though, as an example, it is very linear. The (very real) fear about AI is not in their "overlords" but in themselves becoming the overlords.

I think that in this case the term AI was misused. A factory full of welding robots are not 'true AI' in the sense you and I agree upon. And I also want to say, computers will never know that they know.

originally posted by: soficrow
If we want to prevent the strategy from proceeding to steps 2 and 3, it's time to plan concretely and commit to a clear course of action. If we do not, then we will face the culling. First economic, then physical.

Great post Sofi. (All of them from start to finish).

Here's what I see with respect to your above statement in particular though...the key to it all is your opening line "If we want to...." simply by looking at smartphone sales, the perpetual desire to have the newest (even if their device is simply months old), and the perpetual desire to actually condone replacing their day to day "tedium" with electronics almost negates anyones willingness to "want to".

Not just here, but almost everywhere in general, ive personally had to endure attacks from the masses primarily because I would tend to correct spelling/grammar errors. Now that may seem petty, but my reasoning for it isn't because I feel better than anyone or that I much care how someone misuses a 'there' for a 'their', it more always had to do with letting electronics figure out for them what could easily be an extension of human conditioning and learning process. The long and short of this little story is, that we have begun (without any end in sight) a campaign of self-obsolescence that most condone.

a reply to: alphabetaone

...The long and short of this little story is, that we have begun (without any end in sight) a campaign of self-obsolescence that most condone.

The kind of empty-headed frivolity and self-indulgence that leads to self-obsolescence is not new. Most unfortunately. But as always, there are many, perhaps a majority, who remain grounded in truth: the earthy sorts who know truth at a gut experiential level; scholars who've managed to glean a universal perspective from their studies; and spiritual mystic types who actually do perceive the oneness of being. Here's hoping there is strength in numbers focused on a worthy goal.


Thanks btw.

a reply to: soficrow

Shazam!

And really....a stagecoach robber has more integrity than your average socialist.

originally posted by: intrptr

originally posted by: alphabetaone

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: soficrow


Since machines are programmed to fulfill the tasks programmed into them by the overlords, they will make them more lethal and more numerous.

This would be 100% accurate if we were talking about linear computing devices. With AI, there is nothing linear about them, not even the coding. Any AI you can experience now (ie., Siri, Cortana, et al) is not true AI. It would take quantum computing / computers to begin to approach a truly AI experience. With Siri though, as an example, it is very linear. The (very real) fear about AI is not in their "overlords" but in themselves becoming the overlords.

I think that in this case the term AI was misused. A factory full of welding robots are not 'true AI' in the sense you and I agree upon. And I also want to say, computers will never know that they know.

I saw for years those assembly line robots on news reels ect. Then took a temp job in an auto plant and got to watch them up close. It was surreal. And lets face it....back in the day when they were showing the young blue collar to be minds these cutting edge tech robots on the cover of blue collar mag as it were, auto assembly lines, future, faster, better ect it was powerful imagery.

You should see, if you don't know, what tech has done to the logging industry of all industries. At least a portion of it is down to high tech. As the chainsaw to the ax man.........the chainsaw to the sawyer. I keep and old two handled saw around if it ever gets to stupid. I show the kids. And the ax if it ever gets real stupid.

a reply to: Logarock

You should see, if you don't know, what tech has done to the logging industry of all industries. At least a portion of it is down to high tech. As the chainsaw to the ax man.........the chainsaw to the sawyer. I keep and old two handled saw around if it ever gets to stupid. I show the kids. And the ax if it ever gets real stupid.

I have seen logging today. Its terminator...

I also visited a log mill and toured it.

The speed at which we can deforest is mind boggling. Limited only by selective cutting and clear cut greed.

Don't forget to show the kids maul and wedges.

originally posted by: soficrow
Second is to provide a universal basic income (UBI), and provide every individual and family the basic necessities of life. Most evaluations of the UBI plan look only at individual nations funding a UBI through taxation of the still-employed. Won't fly.

What makes you think we can't give people control of revenue generating machines? Dual currency systems are a good way to provide all people with value just by being alive too.

originally posted by: Aazadan

originally posted by: soficrow
Second is to provide a universal basic income (UBI), and provide every individual and family the basic necessities of life. Most evaluations of the UBI plan look only at individual nations funding a UBI through taxation of the still-employed. Won't fly.

What makes you think we can't give people control of revenue generating machines? Dual currency systems are a good way to provide all people with value just by being alive too.

Reporting (and teaching for that matter) do NOT imply that the reporter/teacher personally "believe" what is being reported/taught. I wrote, "Most evaluations of the UBI plan look only at individual nations funding a UBI through taxation of the still-employed."

I have not indicated my personal beliefs, and you have no idea what I think.

a reply to: underwerks

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