The idea that a machine could perform the tasks of any other machine is the description of a Universal (Turing) machine. Its invention is considered by many to have been one of the major landmarks giving rise to the field of computer science. ‘Universal’ means that one can ‘program’ a general-purpose machine to perform the [...]
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May
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Stephen Hawking: A brief examination of the recent warning over alien civilizations
Stephen Hawking asserts that while aliens almost certainly exist, humans should avoid making contact. The original story published by BBC News can be found here. He claims: “We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn’t want to meet.” Stephen Hawking recent assertion looks like an [...]