lukeprog comments on Glenn Beck discusses the Singularity, cites SI researchers - Less Wrong

50 Post author: Brihaspati 12 June 2012 04:45PM

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Comment author: lukeprog 12 June 2012 06:28:46PM *  21 points [-]

The chapter begins with a pretty delightful infelicity, since in 1678 Beethoven's Fifth Symphony was still 130 years away from its premiere.

If Siri made the journey back in time, why are you surprised that an mp3 of Beethoven's 5th made the journey? Siri was created slightly later than Beethoven's 5th.

Somewhat more amazing is that this iPhone has cellular service in the 17th century, and can make video calls to future people. It must be on Verizon.

Comment author: stcredzero 13 June 2012 07:36:03PM 2 points [-]

Somewhat more amazing is that this iPhone has cellular service in the 17th century, and can make video calls to future people. It must be on Verizon.

This wouldn't violate Einstein's relativity with a wormhole with openings appropriately located in space-time. Ao Apple and Verizon have wormholes in this scenario.

Comment author: grouchymusicologist 12 June 2012 06:44:37PM 7 points [-]

Well, at the risk of explaining my joke, I only meant to suggest that the opening of the chapter makes it sound like Beck thinks Beethoven's Fifth would have been "famous" and instantly recognizable to Englishmen in 1678. Maybe I should charitably assume that Beck originally had it as "the latest church anthem by Purcell" but his editors made him change it.

Comment author: lukeprog 12 June 2012 06:58:36PM *  7 points [-]

The wording seems to be ambiguous as to whether it's saying Beethoven's Fifth is "famous" to the readers or "famous" to people in 1678.