In case you missed it the past three nights, IBM participated on Jeopardy with their supercomputer, "Watson." If you want to take a more in-depth analysis of the situation, Peter Maag takes a close look at it on his blog right here. But let me give you a quick recap: we're doomed. Watson is only the beginning folks; next thing we know, it'll be The Matrix, but this time for real. If technology continues to advance at the rate it does, Watson and his gang of improved computer warlords will be dictating our every action, keeping us placid with various computer drug programs.
But there is one thing they will never be able to take, no matter how hard they try. Sports.
Let's see a computer do this. Or how about this? And I don't care how technologically advanced they get, they'll never learn to skate like this.
So, Peter, what the hell is your point? My point is, while the rest of the world must fear for their jobs and futures, once again professional athletes appear safe. Watson may be incredibly intelligent, and eventually develop even greater cognitive abilities, but it'll be years before he's moving around fluidly. And even once that happens, think about how long it will take to build a robot with the same athleticism as Dwight Howard or Devin Hester.
My job may be at risk. My future as a free-thinking being may be at risk. But at least I will always be able to watch LaMarcus Aldridge bring the Rose Garden to their feet with a rim-rocking putback. That is one thing that a computer will never be able to take away.
The ball is in your court, Peter Maag.
you lost all of your Boston blog readers by posting that video of Tyree's catch, but I applaud you for doing so.
ReplyDeleteWatching that Jeopardy was frightening. I'm mad at my parents for not training me to be an NFL punter from the day I was born.
I want to see two computer do this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQiZqdbuvJY