Post by @lurker@awful.systems

2026-10-21 04:42 UTC

To single out a specific review For example, they describe trees as “self-replicating factories that spin air into wood” and conclude that “any intelligence capable of comprehending biochemistry at the deepest level is capable of building its own self-replicating factories to serve its own purposes.” So an AI could self replicate…because a tree can?? not all trees even self-replicate so the metaphor isn’t even right

Replies (3)

@CinnasVerses@awful.systems 2026-10-21 05:37

I wish Wikipedia had more coverage of the Dyson Tree because I have so many questions despite not having studied physics or biology since I was a teenager (what about cosmic rays! there is so little light for it to feed off in the outer solar system! and trees don’t do well in extreme cold)

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@Soyweiser@awful.systems 2026-10-21 10:08

It is amazing in a way, there are computer scientists who work at the highest level of their field, so they understand computers better than most, but they have more trouble than you or me installing linux. Understanding something doesnt mean you can build it. (I know this will be met with ‘well then you dont understand it deep enough’ and that just reminds me that there always will be place for god in the gaps of science).

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@lurker@awful.systems 2026-10-21 19:59

Someone in the comments of this review also said that AI is on track to master…metabolism. somehow

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