The Core Algorithm is the practical applications model to my conceptual framework - Theory of Algorithms. It is a meta-methodology, that is, a smart, adaptable method for identifying the methods that best serve whatever your purpose, issue or target. In brief, an algorithm is a way of solving a problem or steps for accomplishing a task, and is mathematical and non-mathematical (i.e., conceptual and practical). This blog is my introduction of its seminal applications.
Enter, the philosopher; center stage, the engineer
A philosopher is perhaps the last person you’d expect to have a hand in designing your next car, but that’s exactly what one expert on self-driving vehicles has in mind.
Chris Gerdes, a professor at Stanford University, leads a research lab that is experimenting with sophisticated hardware and software for automated driving. But together with Patrick Lin, a professor of philosophy at Cal Poly, he is also exploring the ethical dilemmas that may arise when vehicle self-driving is deployed in the real world.
Gerdes and Lin organized a workshop at Stanford earlier this year that brought together philosophers and engineers to discuss the issue.
So is Tesla positioning itself in a reckless manner?
[C3group president Doug] Newcomb says that Tesla is being “somewhat cavalier” in not fully acknowledging how the technology might be used. “With new technology, people are going to use it in ways that it wasn’t intended,” he says. “But in this case, you’re not talking about smart phone or a computer. You’re talking about a dangerous vehicle.”
The title "Why Self-Driving Cars must be Programmed to Kill" is borderline headline porn, I'd say
The subtitle is better: "Self-driving cars are already cruising the streets. But before they can become widespread, carmakers must solve an impossible ethical dilemma of algorithmic morality."
I have always loved the classic story of a little boy who was throwing starfish into the ocean when he was approached by an old man. After observing the boy's actions, and a beach covered with helpless starfish, the man told the boy that he couldn't possibly save all of the starfish and that it didn't "make a difference." The little boy then picked up another starfish and explained: "it makes a difference to this one."
For a long time, I have wanted to depict this inspiring story through photographs. Recently, my wife and I took two of our grandkids to the beach in Southern California, told them about the boy and the starfish, and then watched them act it out in their own magical way.
The following video is the result. If you are inspired by this story, please pass it along and make a difference in someone's life today.
