Somebodies and Nobodies

President Donald Trump

President Trump: Poster Boy for Rankism

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on January 22, 2017

President Trump gives a face to rankism.

President Trump gives a face to rankism.

Fantasies

When Robots Reign: Getting Along With Robo Sapiens

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on December 18, 2016

We identify ourselves not as this or that fiddle, but with the whole orchestra.

We identify ourselves not as this or that fiddle, but with the whole orchestra.

Fantasies

When Robots Reign: Getting Along With Robo Sapiens

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on December 11, 2016

Sentience, consciousness, and the will to freedom are self-emergent features of sufficiently complex, dynamic networks.

Sentience, consciousness, and the will to freedom are self-emergent features of sufficiently complex, dynamic networks.

Fantasies

When Robots Reign: Getting Along with Robo Sapiens

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on December 3, 2016

Since power can be used not only to serve yourself, but to silence those who object to how you use it, self-aggrandizement and corruption are endemic.

Since power can be used not only to serve yourself, but to silence those who object to how you use it, self-aggrandizement and corruption are endemic.

Fantasies

When Robots Reign: Getting Along with Robo Sapiens

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on November 26, 2016

Immortality lies not in identifying with any one model of Homo or Robo Sapiens, but in participating in the progression.

Immortality lies not in identifying with any one model of Homo or Robo Sapiens, but in participating in the progression.

President Donald Trump

Donald Trump, Orchestra Conductor

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on November 6, 2016

Like all demagogues, Trump is not a creator but an orchestrator of popular resentment.

Like all demagogues, Trump is not a creator but an orchestrator of popular resentment.

Religion

Dignity's Future

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on March 8, 2016

At the heart of every religion there lies a promise of dignity for all believers.

At the heart of every religion there lies a promise of dignity for all believers.

Motivation

How to Keep our Dignity While Ceding Human Preeminence

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on January 19, 2016

We need not give our robo sapien successors our worst qualities.

We need not give our robo sapien successors our worst qualities.

Bias

Why Does Racism Persist? Update

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on June 25, 2015

What is racism's immortal head? Why does racism persist?

What is racism's immortal head? Why does racism persist?

Bias

Why Does Racism Persist?

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on April 4, 2015

To end racism we must identify and sever the immortal head that keeps the beast alive. Racism’s immortal head is rankism.

To end racism we must identify and sever the immortal head that keeps the beast alive. Racism’s immortal head is rankism.

Neuroscience

A New Default Self

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on January 31, 2015

Do you need a self to be happy?

Do you need a self to be happy?

Friends

6 Reasons You Can't Win

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on January 18, 2015

Will the partnership between Man and Machine end in our demise, or is this the beginning of a beautiful friendship?

Will the partnership between Man and Machine end in our demise, or is this the beginning of a beautiful friendship?

Wisdom

Simple Truths

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on December 27, 2014

A clash of doctrines is not a disaster, it is an opportunity. – Alfred North Whitehead (1861–1947)

A clash of doctrines is not a disaster, it is an opportunity. – Alfred North Whitehead (1861–1947)

Wisdom

The Wisdom of Science: Questions, Guesses, and Predictions

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on December 20, 2014

We're building a machine that will be proud of us. – Daniel Hillis

We're building a machine that will be proud of us. – Daniel Hillis

Wisdom

Scientists - On Themselves and On Their Colleagues

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on December 13, 2014

The best scientist is open to experience and begins with romance—the idea that anything is possible. Touch a scientist and you touch a child. – Ray Bradbury

The best scientist is open to experience and begins with romance—the idea that anything is possible. Touch a scientist and you touch a child. – Ray Bradbury

Wisdom

Mathematics–Queen of the Sciences

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on December 6, 2014

..the universe begins to look more like a great thought than a great machine. – Sir James Jeans (1877–1946)

..the universe begins to look more like a great thought than a great machine. – Sir James Jeans (1877–1946)

Wisdom

Science and the Arts

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on November 29, 2014

Computers are useless. They can only give you answers. – Pablo Picasso (1881–1973)

Computers are useless. They can only give you answers. – Pablo Picasso (1881–1973)

Wisdom

The Uses of Science

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on November 22, 2014

Science increases our power in proportion as it lowers our pride. – Claude Bernard (1813–1878)

Science increases our power in proportion as it lowers our pride. – Claude Bernard (1813–1878)

Politics

Science and Politics

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on November 16, 2014

Either man is obsolete, or war is. – Buckminster Fuller

Either man is obsolete, or war is. – Buckminster Fuller

Religion

Science and Religion

Robert W. Fuller Ph.D. on November 8, 2014

Formerly, when religion was strong and science weak, men mistook magic for medicine; now, when science is strong and religion weak, men mistake medicine for magic. – Thomas Szasz

Formerly, when religion was strong and science weak, men mistook magic for medicine; now, when science is strong and religion weak, men mistake medicine for magic. – Thomas Szasz