Book of Machines

I found “The Book of the Machines” to be very fascinating and also ahead of its time. I’m not sure exactly when it was written, but it contains many themes later explored by Asimov. Notably, the significance of machine consciousness seems to play a key role. Who am I to say that the machine that I am using right now isn’t capable of function beyond that which it is programmed to do. I for one am not sure that I am no more than a organic automaton, and that everything I do, say, feel, think, type, etc. is not dictated by either past experiences or inborn instincts. So what is consciousness anyway? Is it only the concept that I am self-aware? Is this computer self-aware? Certainly it seems so sometimes. It understands, as far as I believe it does, that it is a machine and can converse with other machines. It is capable of independent thought insofar as I believe that I am capable of thought not dictated by outside influence or instinct—which is to say none. But Butler makes a point, and I’m not sure it is one he was actually trying to make, which is that none of us can fully understand or comprehend what the true meaning of consciousness entails. Where it starts, where it ends and what contains it are all great questions, which may not have easy answers. I believe I have some degree of consciousness because I am more or less fully aware to comprehend my actions. But are animals, vegetables and machines capable of the same processes? When I look at my cat, I believe he knows what he is and is able to comprehend his actions. Ants seem to work toward a goal, even bacteria will seek out ways to nourish themselves and reproduce, and although their ways are different from mine, they are not entirely foreign. The venus flytrap will catch a fly for its nitrogen. Recently, there was a study that said that plants can feel some degree of pain. While this is somewhat refutable, there is no doubt that they react to stimuli. So how is a potato different from an oyster? How are either of these different from a calculator? If a jellyfish is alive, but Deep Blue, the computer that defeated chess champion Gary Kasparov isn’t, perhaps we need to rethink what life is.