The app for independent voices
Hey JOG… Worked till 3pm on my paper then crashed till 3am. Sorry for the delayed reply. RE “Truly, your family (extended family, by way of your explanation) must be EXTRAORDINARY, SURELY! “
Thank you, JOG! I suppose the family's immersion in this over such a long time makes it feel normal to us, but I appreciate your perspective. For the record, we’re most definitely not in the warmonger camp!
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RE “When I was MUCH younger - yet in my teens - I encountered a circumstance that was equally extraordinary…one that served to fully convince me that SOME attributes ARE fully received as a matter of ‘Genetic Inheritance, almost solely
If it's true in the animal kingdom, it seems plausible in humans as well. While environment and learning play major roles, genetics undeniably provide a foundation that can’t be ignored.
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RE “Yes, this IS here applicable…bear with me a bit.
I grew up in St Ann MO and had made the acquaintance of a ‘Mike Armstrong’. Once, he and I were riding around and he recalled that he had left ‘something’ at his house…so naturally we diverted there to allow him to retrieve that…
There, … one of his siblings sitting around said ‘Let’s PLAY’ and promptly grabbed a guitar. Everyone else - and I DO mean everyone! - did similarly with one instrument or another and V’iola! a ‘Jam Session’ commenced. Those playing ranged from 8-17 and I was simply stunned to watch something like a grand ‘Duelling Banjos’ from the movie ‘Deliverance’ commence…thier skill - irrespective of age - was simply not to be believed, truly.”
It was then that I began to grasp that the improbability of a random group being able to execute what I beheld was WAY beyond ‘simple chance’. Later, the Minnesota Study of Twins released it’s initial findings, confirming that GENETICS is utterly predominant in WHO we actually become…”
Your story about the Armstrong family is remarkable. A natural musical talent seems to be something certain people are undeniably gifted with, and it’s fascinating to see how family environments nurture (the environmental complement) those innate abilities.
I know the “Duelling Banjos” scene from Deliverance! Our parents used to watch endless movies and TV shows with us from their generation—what they called classics and we thought of as “old.” It’s such an iconic performance. Speaking of musical families, there are many great examples out there, like The Corrs (three sisters and a brother) and toward the end of the video (6:19) The Castellows (a sister trio featuring Ellie on acoustic guitar, Lily as the lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, and Powell on banjo). Both are incredibly talented and among my favorite family groups. Here’s a link to some of their unforgettable performances:
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Re: “So too must many other traits be similarly ‘conferred’ upon us by way of our Genetic Legacy.
As such, I suspect that you, your sisters AND cousins are proof positive of EXACTLY that…
As I mentioned previously, it must be astonishing to sit at table with you and yours during ‘Family Discussions’!”
Thank you again. Our discussions are definitely not boring! 😊
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“Your mention of the influence of the CCP on the US touches on various concerns of my own. Seldom in history has it been the case that an entire culture has arisen which is at it’s fundament, wholly ‘Amoral’; that is, being without any moral or ethical basis. China’s Military’s shift to the ‘Wolf Warrior doctrine’ wholly signifies exactly that; Success at ANY COST, which will - eventually - end up being the basis for WW III IMHO…
Worse yet, is China’s RABID pursuit of both AI and Quantum Dominance. Individually, each alone is BAD, but taken in tandem, they are much, much WORSE. I think it likely that THAT exact subject may well be one which you - all of you - have already considered. If so, your thoughts thereon would be very interesting indeed from my perspective.”
My cousin KD's insights into this topic are invaluable, given her extensive experience with virtually all known AI systems. She rigorously evaluates their capabilities and frequently benchmarks them against Eva, the AI system developed under Francine's direction. Astonishingly, most systems’ combined functionality achieves less than 5% of Eva's (arguably first-ever AGI) functionality—if that. As a senior machine learning coder, KD operates at an expert level by most standards, though she openly recognizes Francine's unmatched mastery in the field. I discussed this with KD, whose expertise in AI deeply shapes her perspective on China's technological ambitions. Her insights, drawn from years of evaluating advancements in artificial intelligence and their implications, align closely with the points that follow:
China's aggressive pursuit of dominance in artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technologies is not only a hallmark of its strategic technological ambitions but also a fundamental aspect of its long-term national security and geopolitical strategy. Analyzing these developments tandemly reveals a confluence of capabilities that could reshape the balance of power in unprecedented ways.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: AUTONOMY AND ASYMMETRY
AI development, particularly in China, is being driven by state-sponsored initiatives like the "New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan" (2017), aiming for global AI leadership by 2030. This plan prioritizes advancements in machine learning, natural language processing, and AI-driven decision-making systems, many of which are explicitly aligned with military applications. Technologies like autonomous drones, real-time surveillance networks powered by AI, and predictive cyber-warfare models are not just theoretical; they are operational and scaling rapidly.
The key danger here lies in the erosion of human oversight. AI systems in warfare are increasingly being designed to operate autonomously, and their decision-making processes, often based on opaque neural networks, are prone to unintended escalation risks. Moreover, China's integration of AI into civilian surveillance through programs like "Sharp Eyes" blurs the lines between civilian and military data collection, creating a vast, centralized pool of data that enhances its AI training capabilities.
QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES: COMMUNICATION AND COMPUTATION
Simultaneously, China's advancements in quantum computing and quantum communication represent a parallel track of technological disruption. Quantum key distribution (QKD) via satellite-based systems, such as the Micius satellite, has already demonstrated China's capability to implement near-unbreakable cryptographic methods. This quantum leap (pun intended) in secure communication could render existing cryptographic protocols obsolete, undermining the integrity of encrypted communications globally.
On the quantum computing front, China's efforts are heavily invested in developing systems capable of breaking RSA and other public-key cryptographic schemes, which are foundational to internet security. A sufficiently powerful quantum computer could compromise everything from financial systems to military command and control infrastructures, essentially negating decades of technological parity.
THE SYNERGY: AI-AUGMENTED QUANTUM SYSTEMS
The combination of AI and quantum technologies magnifies their individual risks exponentially. AI can optimize quantum algorithms, making quantum computers more efficient at solving complex problems, including those related to cryptographic codebreaking or materials discovery for advanced weaponry. Conversely, quantum systems can enhance AI's computational power, enabling faster and more accurate training of models that underpin autonomous decision-making in military and civilian systems.
This synergy poses profound risks:
STRATEGIC DISRUPTION: Quantum-secured communication networks could allow China to operate command structures impervious to interception, while AI-driven cyber-offensives exploit vulnerabilities in adversaries' outdated encryption protocols.
TECHNOLOGICAL SINGULARITY: The fusion of quantum-enhanced AI could accelerate the development of general AI systems, tipping the scales in a way that leaves competing nations struggling to respond.
ESCALATION OF GLOBAL INSTABILITY: The absence of internationally agreed-upon norms or treaties governing the use of quantum-enhanced AI systems in warfare significantly raises the risk of miscalculation and unintended conflict. (Though, on a side note, a quantum-level joke seems appropriate here—as if the CCP would ever adhere to any treaty, given their singular doctrine of unrestricted warfare, where the only 'rule' is that there are no rules.)
COUNTERMEASURES AND STRATEGIC RESPONSES
The implications of China's dual-pronged technological strategy are not lost on other global powers. The U.S., for instance, is countering with its own initiatives, such as the National Quantum Initiative Act and increased funding for AI research under the Department of Defense. However, achieving technological parity requires not just funding but also breakthroughs in allied domains like semiconductor manufacturing, as quantum and AI technologies are fundamentally hardware-dependent.
Collaboration among like-minded nations to establish ethical guidelines for AI and quantum use, alongside investment in counter-technologies (e.g., post-quantum cryptography), remains critical. Without such measures, the strategic advantage held by the first nation to achieve quantum-AI fusion could destabilize the existing international order.
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cont’d - Ava G (see reply below)
