Some real Techo Thriller news

[RusVal]

The computers that control US Predator drones is infected with a virus.  Currently the military knows about it, but the virus doesn't appear to be doing anything, so they are continuing missions regardless.

I have a few theories of what's going on:

-A lone hacker just wanted to see if he could bust one of the more secure computers in the country.

-OMG CHINAS SETTING UP FOR AN INVASION!!1!11!

-OMG SPACE ALIENS ARE SETTING UP FOR AN INVASION!!1!11!!11!

-What they think is a computer virus is actually the highly advanced computers gaining sentience.  While it hasn't decided to destroy all mankind yet, being that it is currently in its "who am I, why am I here?" stage, it is only a matter of time...

-What they think is a virus is actually a computer glitch caused by someone spilling their coffee on the keyboard.

-There is no virus, though someone did attempt to put one there, and this is a ruse to draw the perp out into the open.

Personally, I'm leaning on the first or last theories.

[foproy]

this is exactly why i do not like unmanned anything. at least these are remotely controlled, but the skynet situation is certainly possible. though i do think we are a few generations from a true ai and computer sentience, i and hope it stays that way.

[ThunderMonkey]

this is exactly why i do not like unmanned anything. at least these are remotely controlled, but the skynet situation is certainly possible. though i do think we are a few generations from a true ai and computer sentience, i and hope it stays that way.

I hope that AI and computer sentience never evolves past the awareness of a dog. However, if an AI gains the awareness level of a cat, we're all screwed.

Years ago, to mess with some people I combined my background in scripture and conspiracy theories to show that the Anti-Christ would actually be a computer. Anti-Christ = Anti-Jesus = Anti-Iēsoûs (Greek) = AI. I caused a few people to lose sleep.

[foproy]

this is exactly why i do not like unmanned anything. at least these are remotely controlled, but the skynet situation is certainly possible. though i do think we are a few generations from a true ai and computer sentience, i and hope it stays that way.

I hope that AI and computer sentience never evolves past the awareness of a dog. However, if an AI gains the awareness level of a cat, we're all screwed.

Years ago, to mess with some people I combined my background in scripture and conspiracy theories to show that the Anti-Christ would actually be a computer. Anti-Christ = Anti-Jesus = Anti-Iēsoûs (Greek) = AI. I caused a few people to lose sleep.

is it wrong that i can actually sleep more silently with that logic, knowing that we are still a bit off that level of AI

[RusVal]

I hope that AI and computer sentience never evolves past the awareness of a dog. However, if an AI gains the awareness level of a cat, we're all screwed.

If an AI gains the awareness level of a cat, we would be able to distract it with string.  That is, if it isn't too busy lying down in the sun somewhere.

And on an unrelated note, anyone up to going to Japan?

[ThunderMonkey]

I hope that AI and computer sentience never evolves past the awareness of a dog. However, if an AI gains the awareness level of a cat, we're all screwed.

If an AI gains the awareness level of a cat, we would be able to distract it with string.  That is, if it isn't too busy lying down in the sun somewhere.

And some form of catnip would be a benefit as well.

[Sletchman]

I hope that AI and computer sentience never evolves past the awareness of a dog. However, if an AI gains the awareness level of a cat, we're all screwed.

If an AI gains the awareness level of a cat, we would be able to distract it with string.  That is, if it isn't too busy lying down in the sun somewhere.

And some form of catnip would be a benefit as well.

"Who wants a correctly JFS formatted hard drive?  You do...Yes you do..."

For full effect, read in that baby voice people talk to animals and smaller children in.  (It may be less funny to people who aren't strung out on medication and insomnia...)

[MilitiaJim]

One interesting theory I heard is that the keystroke logger is part of the system, part of a CYA program in case a drone does something it "shouldn't," you have the log to prove it was or was not operator error.

[foproy]

a good idea in theory, but what if someone gets hold of those logs. remember the nsa says the only truly secure computer is one with no inputs or outputs.