[extropy-chat] 'a process of non-thinking called faith' 2

[Thomas]

>>ben wrote:
>>    
>>
>>>If we cannot make good judgements now, how can we be expected to make
>>>them in the future?
>>>      
>>>
>>Robert Bradbury said:
>>
>>I though this was a rather odd thing for a transhumanist to say.
>>Don't you expect your ability to make good judgements to improve in the 
>>future?
>>
>Samantha Atkins wrote:
>  
>
>It seems to me that I have the "ability to make good judgements", at any
>rate better judgements than I appear to make by my actions, now.  It is
>not at all clear that simply a much faster brain with vastly more
>capacity and wondrous capabilities for self-examination and change will
>automatically result in better judgements in practice.
>
>- samantha  
>  
>
"Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the 
right answers come out?"

I expect ever wider brain bandwidth and channel capacity in the future. 
 My brain will need upgraded sensory-perception filters for focus to 
prevent GIGO.  Huge demand for custom focus algorithms could be 
predicted concurrent with increased intracranial information 
transmission rates.  Maybe for lithium too!  : )   Better judgements for 
short term problems (like a theatening traffic situation) will, I 
believe, surely be facilitated by wider perception and faster processing 
of input.  Imagine concluding a complex rational decision and executing 
the optimum action in less time than my reflexes presently require.  

Better judgement for long term problems would be facilitated by speedy 
aquistion of a wide array of relevant viewpoints.  Having the "spare" 
time to make a full paradigm shift (or two) will greatly enhance quality 
extrapolation, making me seemingly clarivoyant.  

I sympathize with Ben when he laments that "we cannot make good 
judgements now."  Collective decision making is not strictly possible 
and, even allowing the sloppy concept, it's extremely slow and fallible. 
 Our last presidential election was a glaring example.  But you and I, 
as individuals, certainly can make good judgements.  The trend in my 
personal life has been towards better and better judgement and I would 
guess it's been the same for you.  That's a good enough indication for me.