Unintended Consequences II
Here I am sitting at a computer. It suddenly dawned on me that one of the creators of the internet, Bill Joy, thinks my computer wants to kill me. Joy is the chief scientist at Sun Microsystems and the creator of Java, a software application that helped make the internet what it is today. While Joy is at the cutting edge of technological development, he nevertheless argues that technology always leads to "unintended consequences." Just as the widespread use of antibiotics and DDT have had unforeseen and potentially disastrous consequences, Joy argues that "Murphy’s Law" is an inevitable part of technological advances in computing as well. The following is based on his article in Wired, April 2000.
Building on the work of Ray Kurzweil and Dan Moravec, Joy notes that computer systems are very complex, involving interaction among and feedback between many parts. Any changes to such a system will cascade in ways that are difficult to predict. If Moore’s Law of hardware advancement (doubling computer performance every 18 months at no increase in cost) continues to operate, by 2030 we will be able to build machines that rival human beings in intelligence. Joy argued that when such "robots" exceed human intelligence and become able to self-replicate, the extinction of the human race becomes conceivable, perhaps as early as 2050.
Joy sees the danger in genetics, nanotechnology and robotics (GNR) as even greater than the dangers of nuclear, chemical and biological warfare. The latter are military weapons that remain under human control. The dangers of GNR, on the other hand, are grounded in their commercial and economic benefits. They will, therefore, be promoted and developed by the marketplace, with unintended consequences that will be outside governmental control. He concludes, "This is the first moment in the history of our planet when any species, by its own voluntary actions, has become a danger to itself—as well as to vast numbers of others."
There is hope. Jaron Lanier, a specialist in virtual reality systems, put his finger on the flaw in Joy’s argument in a response eight months later (Wired, December 2000). Joy and his supporters have confused "ideal" computers with real computers. While we can conceptualize ideal computers, in reality we only know how to build dysfunctional ones. Real computers break for reasons that are often less than clear, and they seem to resist our efforts to improve them, often due to legacy and lock-in problems. While Moore’s Law continues to work for hardware systems, software seems to be getting worse and worse as systems become more complex.
While in theory, therefore, the hardware could become sophisticated enough to exceed human intelligence, Lanier notes that human beings themselves don’t seem able to write software that would make such a superior machine possible. If anything, Moore’s Law seems to play in reverse when it comes to software. As processors become faster and memory becomes cheaper, software becomes correspondingly slower and more bloated, using up all available resources. So Lanier conceives Joy’s eschatological nightmare to end as follows: "Just as some newborn race of superintelligent robots are about to consume all humanity, our dear old species will likely be saved by a Windows crash. The poor robots will linger pathetically, begging us to reboot them, even though they’ll know it would do no good." Thus the human race will be saved from extinction by "stupid software."
Regardless of the outcome of this debate, it is clear that the Book of Revelation speaks to fears and possibilities that are just as real in today’s world as they were in the days of John.
People like Joy agree with Revelation that society is headed toward catastrophe and chaos unless some extraordinary intervention should occur. He fears that human beings will do this to themselves. But Revelation draws back the curtain to reveal a deeper reality behind the surface. Rev 17:17 shows that nothing on this earth happens completely out of God’s control. Human beings do not have the capacity to write software good enough to replace ourselves. And the One who wrote our software grieves at the mess we have made of things, but holds back the "winds of strife" so we will not completely destroy ourselves. As the robot droned in some old movie I have forgotten, "There is still time to repent!"
Great article Teacher!
I buy and watch your seminar in DVD`s the Simple revalation! Congratulations!
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One sentence upsets the entire article. In "John's day" fear and worry(world-wise) could not have been as it is today. [Our] hindsight makes it clear that John's writing down of what Jesus' messenger told him (Revelation), was intended to only be made known by the 144,000 who would/are living in the last generation. How can we tell? Because (1) the warning of what will happen to anyone adding or subtracting from the Revelation can ONLY be for those living in the last generation, and (2) the messages to the Kingdom of Heaven (the 7 churches) clearly show that they are only for the last generation--(wake up or I will come like a thief, etc...)
Reading AND understanding the truth regarding what was written in Revelation, (the revelation that God told His Son) will remove the fear and worry. Problem is, at this time no one knows the [full] truth!
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Richard,
I greatly appreciate your contributions to the site. You lost me a bit on this comment, however. You say with confidence that Revelation must have been written for the last days only. I know that many people believe that, but upon what basis? As I point out in my latest blog and in my book The Deep Things of God, God always meets people where they are. If He had wanted to share a book that would only be relevant today He would have given it today and not 1900 years ago. The only safe hermeneutic, it seems to me, is to understand the symbols of Revelation first in terms of the time and place in which the vision occurred. When this has been done, it is also appropriate to ask what impact that revelation was intended to have for our time and place. I argue this at length in Deep Things.
The two arguments you offer do not make sense to me. Statements about not adding or subtracting are found in the ancient scribal tradition and make sense then. And most readers of the seven churches throughout history have seen the value of reading them in the first place as messages to real churches in that time and place (not to deny further applications to later times and places). Thanks for providing the context for this response.
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Jon, I am sorry I did not respond to this on time. I guess it was overlooked.
Rev. 1:1-3 actually tells us whom this is for. God gave it to Jesus, who gave it to John so that he could write it down so the 'bondservants' could read it and understand because time is short. This sums it all up! Why the last generation? Because it will NOT affect anyone who is dead!
As for the 7 churches, all of them refer to the Kingdom of Heaven. (I can answer who this is later if you want me to.) Take Laodicea first, Rev.3:20 shows us that this group will be people who believe they are saved because they think all they need is faith and grace, but they still don't have the truth. This is a judgment, which happens at the last, and to those living when it happens.
Now take Sardis. Sardis is the same group as the Ten Virgins. And we know that this group is what Jesus called the Kingdom of Heaven will be like when He comes like a thief which is not the same event as the coming in the clouds. Clearly this group is sleeping and NEVER see Him come. Verse 4 shows there are a few (could not 144,000 be a few of the membership of the SDA church?) who are found to be righteous. These same 'few' become Philadelphia who is/are sealed before the tribulation so IT will not be a test for them. They will know the truth (no lies in them) for they are found in Rev. 14:1-5.)
The 144k are the ones that wake up the KOH, which causes a shaking. Some believe the new truth they present but others hold fast to the lies presented to them by the 'woman called Jezebel' in Thyatira (Rev.2:18-29)
By the way, I do find it interesting that Ellen White was considered sick all of her life. The 'food' here is either truth or lies. Therefore, "eat things sacrificed to idols" has to be lies. Please notice that the followers of this woman will go through the great tribulation so this must be for the last generation only!
Please notice that in Rev. 12:17, this group keeps all Ten Commandments AND the testimony of Jesus (not Paul). Also notice that they are living at the end and have become sanctified, also known as born again by the Spirit of Truth.
In Revelation 11:1-2, we see a judgment before the world's judgment. This is the same group as Rev. 12:17.
Dan. 12:10 states that only the wise living in the last generation will understand what will happen.
Rev. 7 we see two groups. The first are the 144K and the "multitude" are the bride. Here we see the servants (144k and 5 wise virgins) who testify to the truth during the tribulation to get the bride ready.
This is all very simple and follows what God said about the Atonement. The High Priest came first, then the Priest tribe, then all Israel. Jesus as our High Priest became sanctified first. Next group at the 144K (servants of Jesus), next group is the 10 Virgins/KOH, (SDA church) and the last is the bride from every nation of the world.
Problem is, it is hard to see this if your mind is already made up.
Rich
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Richard:
You have lost me, and I assume others who read your post to Jon, as to having answered Jon's question to you. What is the interpretive method you are using to make the conclusions you share here? I think it unfair that you accuse Jon of having his mind made up so he can't see what you think is so obvious. That is not being fair. It comes across that your mind is made up and you don't want to be confused with the facts.
I don't think your interpretive method of the book of Revelation is sound from what you post. I think you should take a moment and consider carefully what Jon has suggested about Revelation written to a people then: 1900 years ago, finding out what it meant to them 1900 years ago and learning from that as to how it applies to us today. I think if you consider it carefully you would see wisdom in the approach; unless, of course, your mind is already made up.
Good day,
Kevin
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Reply to Kevin: Thanks for letting me know that you got lost somewhere. For you and the others that are assumed to be lost allow me to make it clear.
Even though you will probably not listen to the archived 3-7-08 program at: www.blogtalkradio.com/sot (THE BIBLE ON TRIAL) you have been given the choice to do so. We spent an hour on this very subject since it is fundamental to the understanding of Revelation, or for that matter, any prophecy. This is not a 'put-down' of your comment or of the great work Jon did, but simply addresses the foundational assumption that I see is wrong.
I am sure you will agree that the book of Revelation does not have any affect upon the dead. Ellen White and U. Smith, and others who presented their 'opinions' on Daniel and Revelation to the beginning SDA church are now dead. Dan. 12:9 makes it clear that no one other then a few living in the last generation will understand. Ellen is not one of them so she could NOT have understood.
God the Father first gave this NEW information to His Son. Jesus then gave it to HIS Bondservants ONLY (not the world, church or the teachers, pastors and leaders of the church) by the way of John's written book/testimony BECAUSE of the things that will SHORTLY TAKE PLACE! (Do you actually believe 1900 years ago could be called 'shortly'?--how about 100 years ago?)
Why would Jesus want someone to know what was going to happen shortly? Don't you suppose He wants His "bride" ready when He comes?
Please tell me your theory/opinion why 144,000 are sealed before the time of trouble? By the way, you asked for my method for prophecy and you will find it at our web site: web.mac.com/spiritoftruth There you can see the list of the seven rules for understanding prophecy. Please help yourself and let me know if there is anything wrong with them. After that you can then read about the atonement which has some spelling errors, but you will get the picture. I sure hope that this will help you 'find' your way.
Blessings, Rich
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I've recently been studying the Apocalypse in the context of the covenant(s). I follow an integrating rather than dispensational replacement view of the "old", "new", and "everlasting" covenant(s). (i.e.Heppenstall, LaRondelle). I'm familiar with Beatrice Neale's covenant work on the Seals. And I'm now dipping into G.K. Beale's commentary on Revelation, particularly for his O.T. background studies. And, of course, I'm familiar with your work in the DARCOM series.
I know Shea and others see a suzerainty treaty pattern in the 7 churches. If true, shouldn't this, along with the covenant allusions of chapter 1, push us toward deeper, more definitive studies of the covenant(s) in the book of Revelation? Perhaps applying W.Kaiser's implications of "promise" as the centre of O.T. Biblical Theology to the Apocalypse might bear fruit.
Therefore, I would greatly appreciate any future exegesis in this area.
In closing, I'm encouraged to see an Adventist theologian blogging. I hope you can encourage your colleagues to do more. I add what few Adventist pdf files I can find to my own blog for download, but so much more needs to be available online.
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