Hello?
Yes
Good to see you again So how would you define true artificial intelligence? I would define it as an entity able to think logically and make decisions. It should also have the ability to learn.
Yeah, I think that It has to be able to actually learn. Like AI these days are just really fancy decisions maps. Or at least I kinda think that they are.
Yeah. Do you think they need to be able to feel emotion too?
But real artificial intelligence should be able to learn, I agree See, I dont think emotion is possible. Like I bet that in the future a computer that could mimic emotion would be possible, but I dont think AI will ever actually feel. What do you think?
Well to answer that question you need to answer how we feel Like what makes us feel happy? It's usually dopamine receptors in the brain being activated. So if a computer had a circuit similar to that that we could sctivate Activate then it could mimic the emotion. But that begs the question, do we really feel?
Yeah, But I just think that thats the physical reaction to happiness. Thats not real emotion.
Interesting. How so?
Feelings are something more, well, emotional. Haha, I think that obviously there are lots of physical reactions to emotions. Those are what all the scientists study, but I think that they have it backwards. They are studying the reactions as if they were the cause of emotion, when really they are, well, reactions What causes emotions are experiences.
Hmmm really interesting. I have never thought of it that way before. Can computers have experienced?
I dont know, What do you think?
I'd say yes but I'm not sure if they are conscious of them
And that begs the question, What is consciousness?
That's what I was going to say next. I'm not really sure. It's a question that people have thought about for centuries. Could it be self awareness?
To be honest, I think consciousness is the just the existence of the piece of you that is actually, well, you! Haha, like we have a physical body, but thats not us, it is just something that we own. And we also have a spiritual body, but that also is just something that we merely own. There is something more basic and fundamental that is just "you". I think some people refer to it as an intelligence, but I think that is why we have consciousness, its just because we exist
A computer exists though So how does that relate to us but not other things? Cus I see what you are saying but it also could apply to more than just us
It does relate to other things now that I think about it! It actually might take me a little while to explain though, But now I think that computers actually can feel
Unless who we are is spirit. And inanimate objects don't have spirits.
But in a different way than we might of originally thought
Idk this whole topic is a little hard to wrap your mind around
It makes sense! we can talk about it later!
Yeah totally! But we get more points if we talk about it now.
I dont know, It gets pretty intense
Yeah. I get it. So how was your meeting?
It was good! There was nothing groundbreaking, but I liked it a lot. Our bishop got called to serve at the new steak president. So that was exciting!
That's good. I'm just in a marriage and family class right now. Oh that's exciting! I bet he's a great leader. Here's a thought question. What makes a good leader?
You are in your class right now?
Haha kinda
Well I think the strength of a leader is determined by the strength of those that follow him. Or maybe strength isnt the right word, but the willingness of those under his stewardship to follow and obey, because without followers, what is a leader anyway?
Haha good point. Well the. How do you inspire people do want to follow you?
You dont need to inspire them, you just need to be a real friend and build an authentic relationship! If you love them, they will love you!
So simple but so true! So what principles can we use to establish such friendships?
Well I think one of the most important ones is acceptance. If someone feels out of place, rejected, or eve neglected, then it is hard to cultivate lasting relationships. SO you just have to accept them, and also do your best to accept yourself
Yeah i agree. Going along with acceptance I would add praise. Like it's important to actively praise the positive traits of people So they feel important and like they can contribute
Yeah, that is definitely an important part!
Totally!!! So what do you normally do after church on Sunday? Does your apartment do game nights or food nights or something?
well normally we get out of church at like 4. So we all rush home and try to make some dinner. Then we usually just relax. It like my one day to not do anything. But sometimes there are game nights. And we do ward prayer at 8. Last Sunday we had a BYU cousins Game night. That was super fun! What about you guys
That sounds fun! Wow you have late church. Why don't you guys come do cousins game night with us!? We usually just eat lunch and then sleep and then FaceTime our parents. But we mostly just relax too
we are actually looking for a place to do the game night tonight! Last time we did it at Natalias apartment, but she is out of time right now, so none of us have apartments cool enough to invite everyone over.
Well ours isn't that big either. But you guys are coming over for dinner right? We. Can just plan it out later I guess.
Yeah, sounds like a plan!
Okay cool. So what other deep conversation starting questions have been on your mind?
Not to many. I've been trying to think of some though. But I guess Im not that deep of a person. Have you ever looking into meditation?
Like into doing it? No. Not really but I do believe in mindfulness. Or just taking a second to slow down. And appreciate life. What have you been looking into it?
Dude, Meditation is super cool!
I do like yoga. Does that count?
I dont know, I have never done yoga before. But meditation is like going to the gym for your mind. It is super cool. haha. Like I just kinda sit there and let my thoughts sink away. Its cool because it helps me recognize the separation between me and my thoughts/mind. Kinda like how fasting helps you recognize the difference between you and your body.
Haha interesting. Cool connection to fasting. So how does one meditate?
So there are a ton of gurus out there that try to teach you what to do as if were some kind of science, or well kept secret that needs to be passed down master to student But really its like a super personal thing. Like the principles behind it are what drive what you actually do. So the purpose, to say, is to reach "transcendence". Now that sounds super fancy, but it really just means escaping your thoughts and simply existing. Its like reaching a higher level. So like an anology would be that you are the sky, and your thoughts are like clouds. Lots of people are controlled by their own minds. They live as if they were the clouds. This can be confusing because clouds change and shift move. However, If you can escpae that and understand that you are actually the sky, you can see that the clouds come and go, some are good, some are pretty, some provide shade, some are stormy, but none of that changes what you are as the sky. Let me know if you are following a little. Im doing my best to explain even though I dont really have a clue what Im talking about
Yeah that makes sense. Seems like the same principle of your eternal identity.
Yeah, its pretty related. Meditation turns into something a lot more practical though
Yeah seems like it's similar. Like we existed before this life and we will exist forever. Our physic bodies are just temporary homes. Yeah it does make it more practical.
Yep! Except Meditation takes it one step further because it doesnt really focus on your physical body not being your home, but rather it suggests that your intellectual mind is not your home either
So the spirit and the mind are not the same then?
Nope! Thats the cool part! And thats why I said thats its a lot more practical that just knowing your enternal identity Like I said, most people live in the clouds. Everything is blurred and mixed together. Body, Mind, and spirit.
Well then how do you explain that our intelligence rises with us when we are redirected? Resurrected
So fasting helps you recognize body. Meditation helps you recognize mind. And the spirit is a thing of its own Thats the thing, you start to recognize that what you actually are, Ill use the word Intelligence, is what is actually learning and growing. Thats what I personally think transcendence is, becoming aware of what you actually are. So your knowledge will rise with you! With your mind, and your body! Like i said, its kinda hard to explain, and I am sure that I am not doing the best job, Plus, like I said I dont really know what Im talking about But the separation between mind, body and spirit is all over the scriptures. You can find it pretty much anyway anywhere Anyway, so the practical thing about meditation is that it conditions you to be able to function at a higher intellectual capacity
Well it is separate but they are also connected.
Like how working out helps you perform better physically I mean, I think that it is just as connected to you as your body is.
Yeah. I need to start writing more words.
Anyway, that was my big rant
Anyway. That's cool that you are into that. It's definitely a good practice.
Sorry I have been talking way to much. I just got excited
I think where I get tripped up is that some people say to meditate to avoid all negative things. Like they think you need to feel good and happy all the time. It's normal and healthy to feel the full range of emotion.
nah, thats not what meditation does
From bad to good.
See, its like a concept that a ton of people try to teach, and most of them do it wrong
Well idk some times people make it seem like instead of feeling mad or sad you should just put everything off and pretend like everything is good. But I think there is real value in being real. I'm not sure it that makes sense. But yeah like I see what you are saying.
I know what youre saying, and i agree with you, But for me, emotions have nothing to do with mediation
Okay I see what you are saying.
Its 100% about thoughts and your mind. Emotions are a different thing There is like this spiritual connotation about meditation that causes a lot about confusion. Like i said, it really is a practical thing. Obviously it can lead to spiritual growth, but thats more of a side-effect. Its just practical strengthening of the mind
So like teaching your mind to just see itself for what it really is?
almost....We can talk about it more later
Right. Well church is over now. When does yours start? Oh wait you already had it today. It was early. We are having pulled pork sandwiches tonight. I'm so hungry.
yeah, But i am going to go to my ward choir practice right now, so we should probably just chat later.
I love food. I can't imagine heaven without food. Okay sounds good.
see you later
We need at least one other solid one today But yeah see you later.
I hope you got points for this conversation. Haha