The Turing Test: Doggo version

If you know what the Turing test is, skip the next two paras.

AI - Artificial Intelligence - the phrase is thrown around a lot, and loads of sci-fi movies have come off it. I am very excited about intelligent machines too, ones that can learn to do stuff all by themselves without having to be precisely programmed (I'd then be jobless, but that wouldn't matter when the robots take over the world anyway). For some reason, a lot of people seem to be really interested in machines that can pretend to be human - screw the machine that can cure cancer, let's build one we can have a touchy-feely chat with. I'm not saying human-like robots are useless, I'm just saying that's not what we should focus on. Okay, I was just messing around. There are good reasons that people are interested in robots that think and act like us:
1) Human intelligence is the only kind of intelligence we know anything about,
2) If we want robots working with/for us, we need them to be able to understand us, and
3) If we can build robots that can think like us, then we learn a lot about our own intelligence and consciousness.

When there's a demand for something, we all know someone would start a pyramid scheme that scams people with a phony product. People want human-like robots, someone comes along and produces a chat-bot and claims it thinks like a person- when it doesn't, they say it thinks like a stupid person (or, only wise people can understand this robot- the emperor's clothes approach to scamming people). This raises an important question. How do we tell if a robot's really intelligent (human-like)? One popular test is the Turing test. The test involves two participants, a person and a supposedly intelligent computer, and an interrogator who has to identify the two. The interrogator has to do it from a simple Q&A session over a web chat (without video or audio). The human is honest and tries to convince the judge he's human, while the computer has to lie so the interrogator is convinced it's also human.

There are some issues with the Turing test though. The biggest one I have is, why anthromorphise intelligence? Why suppose that something has to think like a human for it to be intelligent? Suppose an alien species builds spaceships that can bring them to Earth. We make them take the Turing test for fun, and they fail it. Does that mean this species isn't intelligent, even after they mastered interstellar travel while we can barely explore our own solar system? No, that's stupid. The Turing test places too much emphasis on acting like a human.

I have been thinking about a different way to go at this. The doggo version. It's the same as the standard Turing test, except the computer now simulates the behaviour of dogs instead of people. Clearly, this can't be a Q&A thing. This is what I imagine the test should be:
There's two rooms behind two identical doors. One room has our participant computer which simulates the behaviour of dogs and renders it in video, while the other has a few dogs in it. The room with the dogs has enough stuff to keep the dogs entertained- toys to play with, furniture to destroy, food and water dispensers, and alarms and TVs to distract them. Of course, there's multiple dogs so they can also play. There's a bunch of cameras in the room that record what the dogs are doing. Outside the rooms, there's a control panel with a bunch of switches that control what goes on in the room- ring an alarm, dispense food, turn on water sprinklers, and so on. The interrogator outside the room, who is an expert dog-handler, has access to the control panel and the videos, and, as with the classic test, they have to figure out which one's the computer and which one's the dogs. Just to ensure that video quality doesn't influence the decisions, we let the video from the room with the dogs go through some software so that videos from both the rooms are of the same quality, graphics-wise.

And that is the doggo version of the Turing test. This version still tests for intelligence. Dogs are intelligent, I'm sure we can all agree on that. If a computer passes the test, it means it can successfully simulate intelligent behaviour, which, some would argue is indistinguishable from actual intelligence. This test would be superior to the standard test because it places the computer on equal footing to the interrogator. When the other participant is a human, there are a lot of subtle things about conversation that might just be social conditioning and have nothing to do with intelligence. With dogs, there isn't as much conditioning, at least not enough to throw off an intelligent computer.

Training Journal: October

October 6

I went for a morning session today. After staying away from cleans for the last two weeks, I decided to give it a shot again today. The wrist felt okay. Warmed up as usual with just two sets of complexes with the empty bar: 10 first pulls, 10 arm cleans, 10 military presses, 5 split jerks, 10 back squats. 

P.Clean+P.Jerk: 40kgx(5r+5r)x2s, 50kgx(3r,3r), 60x(2,2), 70x(1,1), 75x(1,1), 80x(1,1)x3s

The last time I did CnJ, I only hit 70kg, but I decided to go at 80 today. Mainly because I was quite embarrassed that I started worrying about 80, which I was P-Cleaning way back when I was in the U62kg class. I weigh 82kg now. Anyway, all three singles were solid standing cleans. The push jerks were too easy- they felt heavy, but still went up quite easy. 

B. Squat: 60kgx5rx2s, 80kgx3, 100x3, 110x2, 120x2rx3s

Added another 5kg to the squat today. As usual, it felt quite heavy. I could get up, but there was always a lingering feeling at the bottom that I might not make it. I guess I'm getting close to my current max. 

Military Press: 40kgx5, 50kgx3

Thought I'd train the shoulders today, since the P.Jerks aren't that effective, and I didn't do a lot of reps anyways. But I didn't. The arms felt a bit weak, and I decided to give up. 

Pull-ups: 4rx3s

The fourth in the first set was actually quite good today. In the second and third, it was as usual- could only get the bar to my forehead. 

No good mornings or BB rows today. I just didn't feel like lifting anymore. It could be because it was a morning session, or because it had already been more than an hour. Either way, I need to split my training sessions. I can't be hitting near-PR CnJs and Squats, and then go on to do lots of assistance work in the same session. 

Starting next week, I should hit the gym on at least one other day after the volleyball/badminton. Just some military/push presses, good mornings, BB rows, and bar dips should do. In the proper gym session, I'll stick to just the olympic lifts and squats, and some pull ups. 

Training journal: August/September 2016 (the comeback)

I decided to get back to Olympic lifting after a long break of three and a half years. The goal I set for my comeback is to hit 90kg Power Clean and Push Jerk in 10 weeks after the restart. Weightlifting is not my primary focus anymore, and I plan to train only about once a week. I will be logging in each of these sessions in this blog.

I shall be doing only compound lifts, all aimed at improving my power clean and jerk. Like I did during my lifting days, I'm ignoring all chest and biceps workouts. The routine I chose for the month is:
Power cleans, military presses/push presses, and front squats (complex)
Back squats
Upright barbell rows and Good mornings (super sets)
Bar dips and Bent over barbell rows (super sets)

August 31

First day back in the gym. I decided to not go for a conventional warm-up. I started with the 20kg barbell and did lots of deadlifts, arm-cleans, military presses, and front squats. Then I moved on to some snatch squats- these were scary, my balance was totally off and even the 20kg barbell felt a bit heavy. I started the actual routine. I'm only recording the max sets.

P.Cleans+M.Press- 30kg x (5,5) - 2 sets
P.Cleans+P.Press  - 50kg x (3,3) - 2 sets
Hang cleans were much easier than cleans from the ground. My grip started to give out at 50kg. Hook-grip felt too strange to use today. The gym doesn't allow using chalk, so that sucks. I also have a minor pain from playing badminton last week, and this made the cleans quite uncomfortable, especially the resting part- my flexibility is totally gone now, need to work on that.

Back squats- 70kg x 5 - 3 sets
The old injury in my left knee seems to have resurfaced in the first few reps. It disappeared when I got up in one particular way though, I don't know what this means to my form. The weight did feel a bit heavy, but I could still squat with some good speed. The balance was a bit off though.

I tried to do some pull-ups. Did a set of 5 and then a set of 3, my wrist completely gave out in the last rep, felt like I'd fall to the floor.

Upright barbell rows, Good mornings: 20kg x 8, 20kg x 8  for 3 sets
No issues here.

Bar-dips, Bent over barbell rows: 5, 40kg x 5 for 3 sets
Went for 8 reps in the first set of bar-dips, that was a bad idea. Barbell rows were peaceful though.

And that was the end. I didn't stretch after the training. Tomorrow should be fun.

September 1

I was bored at work today, and my muscles were sore from yesterday, so decided to get a workout today too. Started without a conventional warm-up, with some cleans, squats, presses, and split jerks with 20kg for a couple of sets. I decided to add split jerks into the mix so I'd be ready if I decide to do some classical CnJ- started some sitting cleans too.

P.Cleans+M.Press+S.Jerk+F.Squat: 30 x (3,3,2,3) - 3 sets  
P.Cleans+P.Press  +S.Jerk+F.Squat: 40 x (3,3,1,3) - 2 sets
                                                              50 x (3,3,0,0) - 2 sets
My right wrist was still uncomfortable. The front squats were no fun either, my left rhomboid was especially under stress (old injury resurfacing?). The knee didn't hurt, but I could feel some pain in the my glutes. Thought I should call it a day after the first set of 50; didn't want to waste the warm-up, so went through with the rest of the workout. Avoided the split jerks because I started worrying about hitting my chin; my wrists and my balance weren't ready for the jerks either. All in good time.

P.Cleans+P.Jerk+F.Squat: 60 x (1,2,2) - 2 sets

Clean pulls: 75kg x 2
Got some decent height in the first two. Attempted a third, grip gave out during the first pull. I have to figure out something for the grip. My arms seem to be pretty weak right now, but no-chalk and the worn-out threads on the bar aren't helping either. It could be a good thing though since I don't seem to have to worry about calluses. Maybe do all the cleans with wraps, and do some deadlifts to build grip strength?

Back squats: 70 x 3 -  2 sets
                       80 x 3 -  2 sets
Started with 70kg straight away. Felt pretty light today, I could even focus on getting some speed on the way up. 100kg should be fine for next week.

Bar dips + Bent over barbell rows: 5 + 40 x 5 - 3 sets
Pretty peaceful, especially the bar dips. After the first set of 8 yesterday, later sets were hard. Not today.

Good mornings + Upright barbell rows: 20 x (5,5) - 2 sets
                                                                     30 x (5,5) - 2 sets
Good mornings were fine, I'm not aiming to go heavy on them anyway. Upright rows weren't bad either, but felt a bit awkward at the end with the wrist. I can never get a proper grip for these ones.

Did a little bit of stretching towards the end. Over all, it was a good workout, although there were a few times I thought I should just call it a day.

September 15

I was playing everyday since my last training sessions, so couldn't go to the gym. Good thing is, I'm getting used to training/playing everyday without burning out (today was my 19th day without a break). Bad thing is, I'm not allowing my wrist to heal. There were a few days when I only played with my left hand, I'm using less wrist power in Badminton, and am using crepe bandage whenever I play/train, but I still haven't rested it properly. 

Anyway, despite the non-stop activity, I could progress with the lifts today. As usual, the warm-up was just two complex sets with the empty barbell- 10 first pulls, 10 arm cleans, 10 military presses, 5 split jerks, and 10 front squats. Today I rested the bar on just three fingers in the rack position, took away some strain from the wrists. Then the sets went

P.Clean + M.Press + F. Squat: 30x(3,3,3) - 2 sets

P.Clean + P.Press  +  F.Squat:  40x(3,3,3) , 50 x (3,3,3)

P.Clean + P.Jerk: 60 x (1,2) - 3 sets

P.Clean: 65x2rx2s, 70x1rx2s

P.Jerk: 60x2rx2s, 70x2reps

Wanted to do a second set with 70kg for push jerk, but I was a bit scared about the wrist. 

Clean pulls (with straps): 70x3reps, 80x3repsx2sets

Deadlifts: 100x2r

The plan was to use deadlifts to improve grip strength with 2 sets of 5 reps each at 100kg. Grip started to give out in the third rep, so dismissed. Clean pulls with the straps felt good, although I was slacking off quite a bit in the second pull. I got the jump and the bar reached my chest, but it was way too slow for 80kg. I can't imagine power-cleaning 90kg with that sorta pull. 

B. Squats: 70x3rx2s,  80x2r,  90x2r, 100x3rx2s

The 100kg reps were quite slow. It didn't feel like I wouldn't make it, but they were slow enough to feel crappy about. I should have gone for some drop sets to get train for some speed.

Next was supposed to be two super-sets: Bar Dips+ Bent BB rows, and Good Mornings + Upright rows. Again, was scared for the wrist to do the bar dips, and I never felt comfortable with upright rows, so I ditched the two and went for 

Good Mornings + Bent BB Rows: (40x5r+ 50x5r)x3s

I finished with a bit of stretching. The glutes felt a bit uncomfortable during the heavier power cleans, but it went away. It felt good to stretch the glutes and the hamstrings. But when I stretched my calves, I found that I didn't work them AT ALL. I always knew my calves were pretty weak, but I never realized I worked them so little in the gym. 

To summarize, gotta do- something about the grip strength, drop sets with squats, loads of clean pulls focusing on the second pull speed, and work the calves.

September 23

Today was again a decent session with some progression. I'm not playing any badminton for the next 10 days, and volleyball doesn't seem to strain my wrist so much. I decided to not do anything that stresses the wrist and let it heal in the meantime, so had to change my routine quite a bit. The warm up was as usual, but with no arm cleans and front squats, 10 first pulls, 10 military presses (without loading the wrist in shear), and 10 back squats with the empty bar. 

Clean pulls: 70kgx3r, 80kgx3r, 90kgx2rx5s, 70kgx3rx3s

Lots of clean pulls. I did 80kg and 90kg with straps. That didn't stop the calluses. The lighter pulls felt weird, I kept losing balance until I completely slowed down the first pull and used mostly an arm-pull for the second. 80kg was okay, 90 only reached the lower chest, a half-clean seems possible in the next few weeks. Did some drop sets to feel better about the pulls. 

Back squats: 60kgx5, 70kgx3, 80kgx2, 90kgx2, 100kgx2, 110kgx2rx3s, 60kgx5rx3s

The weights still feel quite heavy, but had some decent speed with 100kg, and 110kg wasn't uncomfortable either except for the heavy feel. Knees don't hurt anymore, but they do feel a little bit uncomfy at the bottom with the crackling. The drop sets again to feel good about the lifts. 

Pull-ups: 4rx4s

Threw these in since I wasn't doing a lot today. The first three reps were until the eyes/nose, fourth was bad in all four sets, probably got only the hair or forehead to the bar's level. 

Good mornings: 50kgx5rx3s

I keep thinking this was a bad idea, going too heavy too soon. But training just once a week, I should get some heavy good mornings in. The lower back's going to hurt tomorrow. 

Bent Barbell rows: 40kgx5, 50kgx5, 60kgx5rx3s

Not bad. I'm not really sure if these are going to be of any use, but with my pull-ups being as weak as they are, and my general dislike for the lat pull-downs, I have to sneak some of these into the workout. 

Single-legged calf-raises (no weights)- (10+10)x3s

Did a few of these just so my calves could get at least a bit of a workout. Super-setted these with B.B.B.Rows.

I really wanted to sneak in some workout for the forearms and triceps, but couldn't think of anything that doesn't strain the wrist. Did a bit of stretching in the end. All's fine, except the lower back's complaining a bit. I'll probably have to stick to the same routine next week too.

September 28

I was a bit skeptical about today since I haven't rested since my last session (played volleyball for the last 4 days). It turned out okay, with the marginal progress I've been making. I stuck to last week's routine to rest my wrist. The first callus of the season ripped open tonight, I should have prepared for this. 

Warm up was as usual- empty bar for 10 each of first pulls, arm cleans, presses, and back squats. Didn't do a second set. 

Clean pulls: 40x5rx2s, 55x5, 70x3, 80x3, 90x2rx5s, 70x3rx2s

The lighter weights didn't feel all that good today. I got the height but it just didn't feel right. Got 80 to upper chest, high enough for a decent clean. 90s were to lower chest. Used straps for 80 and 90. The callus ripped in the second drop set of 70. Stupid. 

Back Squats: 70x3, 80x3, 90x2, 100x2, 110x2, 115x2rx3s, 70x5rx2s

Again, the weight felt quite heavy. The knees were crackling quite a bit, but didn't hurt. The 115 doubles were alright, finished without issues. Still, it felt REALLY heavy, heavy enough I started to wonder if I should give up half way through. Strange how this works- if I hadn't know about my lifts from 4 years ago, I probably would have given up, or not attempted in the first place. 

Pullups: 4r x 3s

First 3 reps in all sets were better than last time. Fourth is still a bit of a pain, could only rise till the forehead. 

Good mornings: 55x5rx3s

No issues here. I wonder if I should keep loading these up till 70 or settle down at 60 or something. 

B.B.B.Rows: 55x5, 70x5x2, 70x3

Was probably being over ambitious with the 70. Last week was 60, and today's 55 was easy peasy. First 3 reps with 70 were alright, but I kept thinking I was using my lower back in the last 2 reps. The ripped callus was an excuse for stopping at 3 in the last.

Single-legged calf-raises: (10,10)x7

Kept doing these between sets of the last 3 exercises. The last couple reps of the last couple sets weren't good. At least I'm doing something with the calves. 

Summary

That's the end of the month. I'm satisfied with the progress. However, training in this gym, I can't help but feel inferior. Back in insti, I was one of the strongest guys around. During my previous session here, some guy was squatting 160kg for 5 reps. They were powerlifting squats, but still. A couple weeks ago, I saw this other guy bench 140 for reps. Clearly, my ego isn't getting the boost that it did back at IITM. With all the work I have to do in the next couple months, and all the volleyball and badminton, I'm not sure if I can actually join the uni's WL club. I'm seriously reconsidering the goal I set for myself. 

For now, I'll wait and see how it goes. It does feel good to be back in the gym- the calluses are a pain, but I just need to not be stupid about caring for my hands. In any case, I'm avoiding this guilt I used to have for throwing away the years of training. I'll think of this as preparing for the time when I wouldn't have access to a sports hall and all I could do was hit the gym for exercise. 

A case for atheism: Part 1

Some years ago, I wrote a blogpost arguing that followers of the scientific method cannot be atheists. I argued that the only reasonable position on the question of gods is one of agnostism- the position that one cannot be sure that gods exist or do not exist. Since then, I have grown, I have read a fair bit on religion, I have been part of debates, and now my position is that of a strong atheist. I'm fairly sure that gods do not exist. Of course, I don't say that about every possible definition for gods. If one defines god as "the universe", or "the entity that created the universe", or "a coat hanger", then the answer to "Does god exist?" is "yes", "maybe", and "yes" respectively.

The gods I refer to are the standard gods used by religion- a being that cares about human beings, a being that created human beings, a being that created an afterlife for human beings, a being that made up rules that must govern human behavior. These gods cannot exist. And in what follows, I will show why these gods cannot exist.

First, I must counter the argument that is often made for gods- "So many people believe in gods. Surely, all of them cannot be wrong."

It is precisely because so many people believe in gods that we must be skeptical about the existence of gods. People don't all believe in the same god. Gods come in different flavors, from the element-of-nature-gods of Hindu, Greek, and Norse mythology, to the one-god-to-rule-it-all version of Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). There are also shamanic gods- the tribal gods that supposedly speak to priests in the tribe- gods that tend to respond to sacrifice and gifts (to the priests, of course).

There are so many religions that tell you so many mutually contradictory things that it's fairly obvious that most of them were invented by people. We need to accept the fact that gods can be invented, and that they are routinely invented. We also need to accept that entire civilizations would believe in invented gods without reservation. Norsemen believed for a long time that the best way for a man to go would be to have a glorious death on the battlefield, so they could be chosen by Odin to join legendary heroes and kings in Valhalla. Most people today would agree that they followed an invented god, that their god does not exist. But people of the time did believe in the god without question, and tons of people took to arms for a place in Valhalla.

Gods can be invented. Gods are invented. Tons of people believe in invented gods. A child born into a society that believes in an invented god also believes in the invented god. If you, the reader, can let this sink into your mind, you would start to understand my position of skepticism. "So many people believe in gods. Surely, all of them cannot be wrong." That is not an argument. It only shows us that people are gullible, that people would believe in gods if everyone around them believed in a god. People believe all sorts of things if that is what they are taught to believe.