In the News
I don't see another thread to share non-political news.
For The First Time In 221 Years, A Rare Double Emergence Of Cicadas Is Expected In 2024 In North Carolina
Hello, Pluto in Aquarius, unearthing that which has been hidden deep within.
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/north-carolina/double-cicada-emergence-2024-nc/?fbclid=IwAR3pfVPE_kNb3dh1p9IXqOgagM_pHQZro1siNQ9JUzGYtPOeFiCek6cE55M
Well, it was just a matter of time. Hello, Pluto in Aquarius:
First human to receive Neuralink brain implant is 'recovering well,' Elon Musk says
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2024/01/30/neuralink-implant-elon-musk/72404741007/
Image: Must showing the Neuralink Disk implant. ( kinda big )
LOL! This is honestly the first time I've laughed this weekend. It has been a rough one.
Scientists say Uranus smells like farts and rotting eggs
Space smells bad. According to a post shared by Space.com, astronauts have reported that space leaves a funky smell on their space suits. Further, the chemical makeup detected on Uranus shows that the gas giant most likely smells like farts or rotting eggs.
https://bgr.com/science/apparently-uranus-smells-like-farts-and-rotting-eggs/
Scientists say Uranus smells like farts and rotting eggs
Space smells bad. According to a post shared by Space.com, astronauts have reported that space leaves a funky smell on their space suits. Further, the chemical makeup detected on Uranus shows that the gas giant most likely smells like farts or rotting eggs.
https://bgr.com/science/apparently-uranus-smells-like-farts-and-rotting-eggs/
I wonder what this means for the monarchy.
King Charles III diagnosed with cancer, Buckingham Palace says
King Charles has been diagnosed with a form of cancer, says Buckingham Palace.
The type of cancer has not been revealed - it is not prostate cancer, but was discovered during his recent treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The King began "regular treatments" on Monday and will postpone public duties during the treatment, the Palace said.
The King, 75, "remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible," it added.
No further details are being shared on the stage of cancer or a prognosis.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68208157
King Charles III diagnosed with cancer, Buckingham Palace says
King Charles has been diagnosed with a form of cancer, says Buckingham Palace.
The type of cancer has not been revealed - it is not prostate cancer, but was discovered during his recent treatment for an enlarged prostate.
The King began "regular treatments" on Monday and will postpone public duties during the treatment, the Palace said.
The King, 75, "remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible," it added.
No further details are being shared on the stage of cancer or a prognosis.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68208157
An AI avatar generated on Luka Inc.'s Replika mobile phone app and webpage are shown in this photo, in New York, Tuesday Feb. 13, 2024. Unlike more general-purpose AI chatbots that answer typical questions and even do homework, companion bots, like those made by Replika and others, are programed to form relationships with the humans talking to them on the other side of the screen. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Artificial intelligence, real emotion. People are seeking a romantic connection with the perfect bot
NEW YORK (AP) — A few months ago, Derek Carrier started seeing someone and became infatuated.
He experienced a “ton” of romantic feelings but he also knew it was an illusion.
That’s because his girlfriend was generated by artificial intelligence.
Carrier wasn’t looking to develop a relationship with something that wasn’t real, nor did he want to become the brunt of online jokes. But he did want a romantic partner he’d never had, in part because of a genetic disorder called Marfan syndrome that makes traditional dating tough for him.
https://apnews.com/article/ai-girlfriend-boyfriend-replika-paradot-113df1b9ed069ed56162793b50f3a9fa
Pluto in Aquarius and Sedna moving back into Gemini: The Rise of AI
After seeing the movie "Her", I wondered when this would begin happening IRL.
This is crazy and the downside of AI. There are some sick-ass people out there.
Sadiq Khan says fake AI audio of him nearly led to serious disorder
London Mayor Sadiq Khan says deepfake audio of him supposedly making inflammatory remarks before Armistice Day almost caused "serious disorder".
Mr Khan says the law is not "fit for purpose" in tackling AI fakes, as the audio creator "got away with it".
The man who first posted the clip, tracked down by the BBC, told us: "It's what we all know Sadiq thinks."
But another social media user who helped the audio go viral apologised, saying: "I made a big mistake".
The clip used AI - artificial intelligence - to create a replica of Mr Khan's voice saying words scripted by the faker, disparaging Remembrance weekend with an expletive and calling for pro-Palestinian marches, planned for the same day last November, to take precedence.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68146053
Sadiq Khan says fake AI audio of him nearly led to serious disorder
London Mayor Sadiq Khan says deepfake audio of him supposedly making inflammatory remarks before Armistice Day almost caused "serious disorder".
Mr Khan says the law is not "fit for purpose" in tackling AI fakes, as the audio creator "got away with it".
The man who first posted the clip, tracked down by the BBC, told us: "It's what we all know Sadiq thinks."
But another social media user who helped the audio go viral apologised, saying: "I made a big mistake".
The clip used AI - artificial intelligence - to create a replica of Mr Khan's voice saying words scripted by the faker, disparaging Remembrance weekend with an expletive and calling for pro-Palestinian marches, planned for the same day last November, to take precedence.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68146053
This is CRAZY but I've just verified it with one of my friends who is has a Ph.D in Marine Biology.
Charlotte the stingray, possibly impregnated by shark, about to give birth at NC aquarium
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. -- A North Carolina aquarium and shark lab are expecting a stingray to deliver a miracle any day now.
What's the miracle?
Charlotte the stingray, who is 12-14 years old, hasn't been around any male stingrays in her tank.
At first Brenda Ramer, the founder of Team Ecco, didn't believe it.
"People have written and said well they can hold male sperm for years and I'm like she's never been around a male, until we put those two little boys (sharks) in here," she said in an interview with ABC affiliate WLOS.
That's when she noticed the bite marks on Charlotte's body, a habit of mating sharks. That means one option for how Charlotte got pregnant is that she mated with Moe or Larry.
Full Story: https://abc13.com/charlotte-stingray-impregnated-by-shark-pregnant-nc-aquarium-no-mate/14414961/?ex_cid=TA_KTRK_FB&utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A%20Trending%20Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR20bnFJrVBTOSQZa7BwzlXa1J7Da_2_BSg_YCMsgzGueq1xw9jB7BjEIfk
They have the same type of claspers which are their external penises, so it could be possible. It will be interesting to see what the baby looks like. ~ Dr. Lisa Thompson
Charlotte the stingray, possibly impregnated by shark, about to give birth at NC aquarium
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. -- A North Carolina aquarium and shark lab are expecting a stingray to deliver a miracle any day now.
What's the miracle?
Charlotte the stingray, who is 12-14 years old, hasn't been around any male stingrays in her tank.
At first Brenda Ramer, the founder of Team Ecco, didn't believe it.
"People have written and said well they can hold male sperm for years and I'm like she's never been around a male, until we put those two little boys (sharks) in here," she said in an interview with ABC affiliate WLOS.
That's when she noticed the bite marks on Charlotte's body, a habit of mating sharks. That means one option for how Charlotte got pregnant is that she mated with Moe or Larry.
Full Story: https://abc13.com/charlotte-stingray-impregnated-by-shark-pregnant-nc-aquarium-no-mate/14414961/?ex_cid=TA_KTRK_FB&utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A%20Trending%20Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR20bnFJrVBTOSQZa7BwzlXa1J7Da_2_BSg_YCMsgzGueq1xw9jB7BjEIfk
They have the same type of claspers which are their external penises, so it could be possible. It will be interesting to see what the baby looks like. ~ Dr. Lisa Thompson
I asked my father ( Air Force ) years ago why we ( U.S. ) never returned to the Moon - he said because it's inhabited. I wonder if this mission will discover that.
Private lander makes first US moon landing in more than 50 years
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A private lander on Thursday made the first U.S. touchdown on the moon in more than 50 years, but managed just a weak signal back until flight controllers scrambled to gain better contact.
Despite the spotty communication, Intuitive Machines, the company that built and managed the craft, confirmed that it had landed upright. But it did not provide additional details, including whether the lander had reached its intended destination near the moon’s south pole. The company ended its live webcast soon after identifying a lone, weak signal from the lander.
https://apnews.com/article/moon-landing-private-company-intuitive-machines-9c896bfca61582773d381f4045fd35d7
Private lander makes first US moon landing in more than 50 years
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A private lander on Thursday made the first U.S. touchdown on the moon in more than 50 years, but managed just a weak signal back until flight controllers scrambled to gain better contact.
Despite the spotty communication, Intuitive Machines, the company that built and managed the craft, confirmed that it had landed upright. But it did not provide additional details, including whether the lander had reached its intended destination near the moon’s south pole. The company ended its live webcast soon after identifying a lone, weak signal from the lander.
https://apnews.com/article/moon-landing-private-company-intuitive-machines-9c896bfca61582773d381f4045fd35d7
From the Catawba Valley Astronomy Club:
I finally got to get out under the sun to observe & image the incredible NOAA Active Region AR3590 today. I shot some Hydrogen Alpha at different wavelengths and I even got a Calcium K image.
What a BEAST!!!!! Giant sunspot group AR3590 is more than ten times wider than Earth and can be safely viewed through ordinary eclipse glasses:
Speaking of size, this sunspot is about half as big (by surface area) as the great sunspot that caused the Carrington Event in Sept. 1859. Even a half-intensity Carrington Event occuring today could cause problems for satellites, power grids, and internet connectivity. That's why AR3590 merits watching.
NOAA forecasters say there is a 30% chance of a powerful X-class flare this weekend. If it happens, the flare will be geoeffective because AR3590 is directly facing Earth.
(KTSDESIGN/Science Photo Library/Getty Images)
Yo! Pluto in Aquarius!
A First-of-Its-Kind Signal Was Detected in The Human Brain
https://www.sciencealert.com/a-first-of-its-kind-signal-was-detected-in-the-human-brain
Well, this is unsettling; "For so a man thinks. . ."
"Godfather of AI" Geoffrey Hinton now thinks there is a 1 in 10 chance everyone will be dead from AI in 5-20 years
Weeks ago, we learned that Yoshua Bengio, another Turing Award winner, thinks there's a 1 in 5 chance we all die.
Hinton is worried about AI hive minds: “Hinton realised that increasingly powerful AI models could act as “hive minds”, sharing what they learnt with each other, giving them a huge advantage over humans.”
“OpenAI’s latest model GPT-4 can learn language and exhibit empathy, reasoning and sarcasm."
“I am making a very strong claim that these models do understand,” he said in his lecture.
He predicts that the models might also “evolve” in dangerous ways, developing an intentionality to control. “If I were advising governments, I would say that there’s a 10% chance these things will wipe out humanity in the next 20 years. I think that would be a reasonable number,” he says.
“He was encouraged that the UK hosted an AI safety summit at Bletchley Park last year, stimulating an international policy debate. But since then, he says, the British government “has basically decided that profits come before safety”.
“He says he is heartened that a younger generation of computer scientists is taking existential risk seriously and suggests that 30% of AI researchers should be devoted to safety issues, compared with about 1% today.”
“We humans should make our best efforts to stay around.”
P(doom) roundup: what probability do people put on AI killing everyone?
- Vitalik Buterin (Ethereum): 10%
- Zvi Mowshowitz: 60%
- Elon Musk: 20-30%
- Scott Alexander: 20-25%
- Dario Amodei (CEO, Anthropic): 10-25%
- Jan Leike (Head of Alignment, OpenAI): 10-90%
- Geoffrey Hinton (Godfather of AI): 10%
- Paul Christiano (Former Head of Alignment at OpenAI, inventor of RLHF): 50%
- Lina Khan (FTC Chair): 15%
- Average AI engineer (Oct 2023): ~40%
- Average ML researcher (in spring 2022, before things got crazy): 10%
- Dan Hendrycks: recently updated from 20% to 80%
- Average AI alignment researcher: 30%
- Extinction tournament (median for AI experts): 20% chance of catastrophe, 6% chance of extinction
- Extinction tournament (median for non-AI experts): 9% chance of catastrophe, 1% chance of extinction
- BACA Research: 50%
- Scott Aaronson: 2%
- Conjecture AI researchers: 80%
- Eli Lifland: 35%
- Eliezer Yudkowsky: >95%
- Nate Soares: >95% (I think?)
- Holden Karnofsky: 50%
- Average American: 26%
Note: these are just a few I recall from memory and could easily find sources for.
What’s your p(doom)?
My take:
- if your p(doom) is anywhere between 10-90%, it shouldn’t really change what you do, that’s plenty high to justify urgent action.
* Disclaimers: p(doom) usually means as “extinction or similarly bad outcome” but everyone defines it differently, some of these are old and may have changed, many people added various caveats and conditionals, etc.
Just squint and notice the general pattern: a few tech companies are playing Russian Roulette with humanity.
