CONSCIOUS FEELINGS
In “A Truly Intelligent Machine,” George Musser outlines future possibilities for the use of artificial intelligence in several fields of study and wrestles with the concept of consciousness.
The primary means of learning in the brains of complex organisms include the experience of pain or pleasure in response to a stimulus. It is this means of learning that AI lacks. If I kick a machine with AI, it will not kick me back unless it is programmed and constructed to do so. (I hope such a machine is never thus programmed.) Even if it could be programmed to fight back, it would never encompass the mass of emotions that millions of years of evolution have shaped in response to situations and conditions that can often change. Our slow synaptic connections cannot compete in speed with computers, but neither can computers be programmed, as yet, with the emotions by which we most often learn about the world.
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Because artificial intelligence lacks emotional responses, it cannot be presumed to have consciousness. Absent an emotional component, the goal of creating truly intelligent and self-aware machines is quite a distance away, and I believe that distance may be infinite.
BARRY MALETZKY PORTLAND, ORE.
“Absent an emotional component, the goal of creating truly intelligent and self-aware machines is quite a distance away.”
—Barry Maletzky Portland, Ore.
IN-PERSON INNOVATION
In “Facing Facts” [Advances], Simon Makin reports on social scientist Lingfei Wu’s research about how scientists innovate more when they work together in person.
I read the article with interest. In the business world, this effect has been known for a long time. In my experience, teams of any kind working together in person, from sales to basic research, all benefit from collaboration, collegiality and cross-pollination. It is good to have a scientific affirmation of this practice.
JOHN M. BLOCHER SUGAR LAND, TEX.
DEGREES OF SEPARATION
“A Nomadic Math Eccentric,” by Jack Murtagh [Math], mentioned the “Erdős number,” a measure of “authorship distance” from mathematician Paul Erdős. That reminded me of something similar that I heard about in chess circles in the 1970s and 1980s: the Fischer number, named after the late mercurial chess genius Bobby Fischer. A Fischer number of one meant that you had played against him. My Fischer number was two.
PETER SMITH WATTON AT STONE, ENGLAND
EDITOR’S NOTE: In his 2011 book The Joys of Chess, mathematician Christian Hesse proposed a Fischer number based on wins: anyone who defeated Fischer in a game of chess would have a Fischer number of one, anyone who beat someone in that category would have a number of two, and so on.
EXOPLANET TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
In “Observations from a Government UFO Hunter” [Forum], Sean M. Kirkpatrick describes the frustration of trying to convince uninformed believers in alien visitors that there is no evidence they exist. Another way to look at this question is: How would they get here?
Of the more than 5,000 exoplanets so far discovered, none has been found to be conducive to the development of intelligent life. So planets with such life are certainly not nearby.
Interstellar travel is impossible for humans because of the speed limit dictated by Einstein’s special theory of relativity, the distances involved and the bounds of life expectancy. Such restrictions would apply to aliens on exoplanets. There is no way for them to get here.
TERRENCE DUNN VANCOUVER, WASH.
Anti-LGBTQ Bullying
I was glad that you published “Families under Attack,” by Marla Broadfoot. I am transgender and have been the target of bullying many times. There has been a backlash against the LGBTQ movement since Donald Trump was president. I would like to see a follow-up article about why people bully those who are different and what can be done about it.
STELLA ARNOLD VIA E-MAIL
SAFE NOISE LEVEL?
“A Healthy Dose of Quiet,” by Joanne Silberner [May], notes the idea that we are prehistorically predisposed to associate noise with danger. It occurs to me that there are noises, such as the chirping of crickets and croaking of frogs, that many people find appealing, soothing or comforting. Admittedly, the noise level generated by these creatures is generally low. And these animals are sensitive to disturbances from approaching creatures: frogs and crickets typically clam up when they detect a potential threat. I speculate that we may find these noises comforting because they indicate that there is no threat in the area.
KARL STEINKE VIA E-MAIL
HACKING HUMANS
“Quantum-Proof Secrets,” by Kelsey Houston-Edwards [February], describes how researchers are racing to prepare for a time when a quantum computer will be able to break an essential form of cryptography. It is helpful to think like a criminal when considering future data-security risks.
Social engineering exploits account for most attempted break-ins today. Attacking encryption systems is much more difficult for criminals. Cleverly tricking a credulous employee (or a future artificial-intelligence agent), the same old “con job” used for centuries, will remain the preferred way to commit cybercrimes regardless of future encryption efficacy.
TOBY JESSUP SEATTLE
RODENT HEROICS
“Mine Spotting,” by Lori Youmshajekian [Advances, December 2023], noted that trained dogs are sometimes used for finding and clearing mines. African giant pouched rats have been successful in clearing mines in Cambodia and certainly warranted mention as well.
ELIZABETH COLEMAN VIA E-MAIL
SECURITY DOG
“AI Chatbots Could Weaken National Security,” by Remaya M. Campbell [Forum, December 2023], discusses how companion apps pose a risk for users with access to sensitive information.
As a man in his 70s living alone, I never considered a chatbot companion. After reading Campbell’s article, I think I’ll get a dog. Dogs are loyal and would never reveal a confidence, no matter how many treats they were offered.
MICHAEL SCHEINBERG AUSTIN, TEX.
ERRATA
In “How Many Routes?” by Heinrich Hemme [Advances, July/August], the puzzle incorrectly included connections between C and I and between I and M. The error did not impact the solution. The corrected illustration can be seen at www.scientificamerican.com/article/help-a-traveling-salesman-find-every-route-in-this-math-puzzle
“Magnetism vs. Gravity,” by Riis Williams [Advances, July/August], should have described interstellar dust across 500 light-years of the galaxy’s center, not dust 500 light-years from Earth.