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Technological Agorism Part III: AI & the Agora

There are two types of artificial intelligence: the rules-based, & the neural network-based approach. To illustrate the differences, I'll borrow an example from AI blogger Janelle Shane's book, You Look Like A Thing & I Love You, & pretend we're training an AI to recognize dogs.



Using a rules-based approach, we’d create parameters which the AI would then use to determine whether or not the thing it’s looking at, is in fact a dog. Our rules would include things like “must have four legs” & “must have tail,” etc. When all of our conditions have been satisfied, the AI will recognize a dog.

With a neural network-based approach, we show the AI images of dogs & it learns to recognize patterns. The more pictures of dogs we show it, the more accurate the AI becomes. Nowadays, this is usually the preferred approach & will be the subject of this article.

The interesting thing about the neural-network approach to AI - as we’ve already noted, is its reliance …
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Parallels to 1984






Pleased to announce this is the first article by a new contributor at The New Libertarian, Marcelo. 

I’m 32 years old, I believe in the principles embodied by the constitution, I believe that our government hurts more than helps, and I am a God fearing man. Yes, I am a Christian & I go to church every Sunday. Before I lose most, if not all of you, hear me out: Even though I am a Christian I believe strongly in the separation of church and state. I do not believe in abortion personally but who the hell am I to tell you what you should do, or what to believe in. I believe in science. And most importantly freedom for every single individual. Hopefully, I can be a solid representative of the Christian-Libertarian viewpoint. And honestly, maybe libertarian isn’t even the right word since the party has gone to shit. So, if you’re still with me let’s get started.

Recently, I was at a social gathering and like anywhere else the majority of political allegiances were either owed to Republicans or Democrats (very few libertarians). With the political tension at an all time high, and the Supreme Court hearings going on, I bet you can figure out the topic of discussion. I typically stay out of it, and only make my jabs when I can get both sides at the same time to see something new. On top of that I’m not a political expert by any means. I’m a common sense type of guy who leans on people from all walks of life to help further my understanding. People like Sally.


So these friends are constantly going back and forth. One day I decided to ask, “Doesn't it make you sad as a human being that neither side gives a fuck if this lady was actually raped or if she’s ruining a man’s life for political gain?” As the conversation progressed, I explained my belief that after November 7th, whether or not he gets appointed, we will never hear of this again! I actually got some people to agree with me. Amazing, I know.

I left the room and thought about it. I felt like these people lived in George Orwell’s 1984. As you may know, in the book, Big Brother can erase any information from the past by just stating new, made up “facts.” For instance,throughout the book they are at war with East Asia, then suddenly it switches, and they are allies with East Asia & at war with Eurasia. No one bats an eye.

This is the same thing happening today. Most people choose to forget that the Clintons were and may still be friends with the Trumps. They forget that Bill Clinton is a sexual predator. They forget that some people, like Lindsey Graham, who called Trump a racist, are now his best friends.

Why do they do this? Maybe it’s some animalistic need to be superior. In order to feel that way, your party must win. Who knows? One thing is for sure, as a society we are allowing today’s narrative to erase the past, even the recent past.

The keyword is allowing...


-Marcelo


“He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past.”
     - George Orwell



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