Book Review - Out Of Control

BOOK REVIEW
by Ronald A. Scheurer

Out of Control - The New Biology of Machines, Social Systems, and the Economic World
By
Kevin Kelly
1994

When something is out of control it generally would seem to be directionless; or conversely going in all directions at once, so it is difficult at times to see exactly where Kelly is headed with his interviews of computer experts. Most appear to have a desire to create a life form that can be manifest inside of a computer program that can not only replicate itself, but one that can evolve into an artificial, intellectual life form simulating the human mind and consciousness. This mind and consciousness program, as the operating system of a sophisticated machine or robot, then becomes the artificial life form to replace, in effect, humans who evolved naturally and hence less efficiently.

Evolution moves along much more quickly and efficiently in the artificial brain for any number of reasons suggested, and in just the right kind of robot, one beyond Robby the robot of “Lost in Space” fame, becomes capable of taking over some human decision making. The sentient Hal 9000 of “2001" fame isn’t mentioned, the master computer who took over “Discovery One” in Arthur C. Clark’s novel. Dave, the ship’s final survivor barely manages the disabling of Hal.

Not mentioned either is the 1956 film Forbidden Planet depicting the Krell civilization’s self-repairing gigantic machine capable of projecting thoughts into animated matter. Unfortunately for the smart but unwise Krell, and Morbius (Walter Pidgeon) those thoughts, less cooperative than cooperative toward their fellow beings resulted in the Krell self extinction, and the destruction of Altair IV. That machine was supposed to be the ultimate technological device for good.

Out of Control renders multiple futuristic possibilities for humanity based on the evolution of computer software, artificial intelligence that mimics and goes beyond human intelligence, and robotic hardware to carry such synthetic life. Will such synthetic life be self-replicating? And once started, can it be stopped by their human creators? Would such forms of life be recycled by birth and death as are all forms of naturally evolved life on earth?

Black holes are nature’s recycling machines for expended matter and energy. Both are pulled into the vortex of one cone and released through the point to point contact with an obverse cone. A new universe is born as an old one dies.

Macbeth: SCENE V. Dunsinane. Within the castle.

    Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
    That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
    And then is heard no more: it is a tale
    Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury
    Signifying nothing.

Humanity exaggerates its self-importance: Perhaps, the big bang was no more than a loud fart.