Complexity and high numbers are often present without our awareness. We make ensembles of particular things like, the number of skin cells of our skin, like the number of hairs in our hair, the number of flakes in a bowl of cereal or of grains of rice in a meal. These high numbers, with the complexity that it can thus generate, is for the most part unconscious to us. Nonetheless, this is where the capacity for the functioning of the nervous system and functions like consciousness and reasoning and memory take place. Supernatural powers are projected on to the nervous system and the DNA but the case must be made that these alleged supernatural powers are actually the direct effect of the functioning of nervous system and other informational aspects of ourselves like DNA.
Not spirit but information
The Distinction Between Superintelligence and Omniscience
In today’s technologically advanced world, it’s crucial to differentiate between concepts like superintelligence and omniscience, especially as artificial intelligence continues to evolve. While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably in popular culture, they represent fundamentally different ideas.
**Superintelligence vs. Omniscience**
**Superintelligence** refers to an AI that surpasses human intelligence by several orders of magnitude. It can process information and make decisions far faster and more accurately than any human. However, its capabilities are inherently limited by the data it can access. Without relevant information, even the most advanced AI cannot make informed decisions. For example, an AI may be extremely adept at diagnosing medical conditions if it has access to comprehensive medical data but useless if that data is incomplete or unavailable.
On the other hand, **omniscience** is the attribute of knowing everything. In religious and mythological contexts, it is often attributed to deities who possess complete, unlimited knowledge of all things past, present, and future. Omniscience implies an inherent, unrestricted access to all information at all times, without the need for any data transmission or sensory input.
**The Necessity of Observable Means**
Information transmission in the real world relies on observable means. This includes spoken language, written text, digital data, and other forms of communication that can be detected and measured using our senses or technology. These methods are tangible and verifiable, unlike the mystical or supernatural means suggested by telepathy or clairvoyance.
**Cultural Perceptions of Information Transmission**
Throughout history and across cultures, there have been various beliefs about extraordinary ways to access information:
1. **Telepathy**: Direct thought transmission between individuals without sensory channels.
2. **Clairvoyance**: Gaining information about distant or unseen objects/events through extrasensory perception.
3. **Precognition**: Knowing about future events before they happen.
4. **Channeling**: Communicating with non-physical entities for guidance or knowledge.
5. **Remote Viewing**: Seeking impressions about distant targets using extrasensory perception.
6. **Divination**: Using methods like tarot or astrology to gain insights into future events.
7. **Mediumship**: Communicating with the deceased to receive messages.
8. **Intuition**: Immediate understanding without conscious reasoning.
9. **Akashic Records**: Belief in a compendium of mystical knowledge encoded in a non-physical plane.
10. **Psychometry**: Obtaining information about an object by touching it.
**The Role of Skepticism**
Skeptics like James Randi have dedicated their lives to debunking these claims. Randi, through his James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF), famously offered a million-dollar prize to anyone who could demonstrate paranormal abilities under controlled conditions. His work emphasized the importance of critical thinking and evidence-based understanding, highlighting that knowledge and information must be obtained through observable, measurable, and verifiable means.
**Conclusion**
While the idea of superintelligent AI is exciting and holds great potential, it’s important to remember that its effectiveness is bound by the information it can access. Unlike the concept of omniscience, real-world intelligence, whether human or artificial, requires a foundation of observable, transmissible information. By maintaining a clear distinction between these concepts, we can better appreciate the limitations and capabilities of our technological advancements.