FOOM, in the context of LW, is extremely rapid take-off of artificial intelligence.
If an AI can improve itself and the rate at which it improves is itself a function of how good (=smart) it is, the growth of its capabilities will resemble exponential and at some point will rapidly escalate into the superhuman realm. That is FOOM.
The Jargon page says “Onomatopoetic vernacular for an intelligence explosion.” I have no idea why isn’t something louder-sounding like “BOOM” (or “Boom!!!”) instead either.
I have no idea why isn’t something louder-sounding like “BOOM”
I suspect it’s not loud because of
“‘But oh, beamish nephew, beware of the day, If your Snark be a Boojum! For then You will softly and suddenly vanish away, And never be met with again!’
It is sometimes used to suggest an extremely rapid AI self-improvement. I don’t know where the word originates but I think it is intended as some sort of sound-effect.
What is “FOOM”? Is it an acronym? What does it stand for?
Wordnik says “The sound of a muffled explosion.” But that doesn’t sound right. If AI goes FOOM, the explosion presumably won’t be ‘muffled’. :-)
I think it may suggest a non-violent, non-destructive rapid expansion, like how a shaving foam goes foom :)
FOOM, in the context of LW, is extremely rapid take-off of artificial intelligence.
If an AI can improve itself and the rate at which it improves is itself a function of how good (=smart) it is, the growth of its capabilities will resemble exponential and at some point will rapidly escalate into the superhuman realm. That is FOOM.
Except it is not possible, so entire Youdkowsky’s house of cards fell apart.
And how do you know that?
The Jargon page says “Onomatopoetic vernacular for an intelligence explosion.” I have no idea why isn’t something louder-sounding like “BOOM” (or “Boom!!!”) instead either.
I suspect it’s not loud because of
It is sometimes used to suggest an extremely rapid AI self-improvement. I don’t know where the word originates but I think it is intended as some sort of sound-effect.