[Haskell-cafe] Re: Wikipedia on first-class object

[Tim Chevalier]

On 12/29/07, Bulat Ziganshin <bulat.ziganshin at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> just imagine compiling of this program without pencil and paper and
> you will draw conclusion that computers have power of deduction that
> humans definitely doesn't have. and it's only one aspect which doesn't
> take into account duration of human life (of course if we want to
> say about *real humans* and not abstract mathematical model of immortals),
> difference between people's abilities (it's common mistake to compare
> abilities of one concrete computer with MAXIMUM of abilities of all
> people, including whose in all future generations), don't take into
> account that human by itself, at the moment of birth doesn't know
> anything about mathematics and even can't speak - he is programmed by
> society to acquire these skills
>

I haven't been following this thread, but anyone interested in this
question might want to read Daniel Dennett's essay "Fast Thinking", in
his book _The Intentional Stance_.

> so, computers are definitely more advanced devices - they was created
> to. we (humanity) just don't yet finished development of the program
> which at some moment will make them able to further develop itself
> without our help. if you believe that human is superior to computer
> you should also believe that bacterium is superior to human
>

The only thing that computers can do that humans can't is to work
without getting bored.

Cheers,
Tim

-- 
Tim Chevalier * http://cs.pdx.edu/~tjc * Often in error, never in doubt
"It's mad to be in love with someone else / When you're in love with
him, she's in love with me / But you know as well as I do I can never
think of anyone but you" -- Pet Shop Boys