> Their torpedoes seem like they're pretty nasty. Okay... why are they so under powered?

Because it's entertainment. If a 24th century photon torpedo had even as much power as a 20th century nuke, then you could obliterate even the largest ships with a single hit, no matter how strong their 'shields' were. But that would be decidedly harder to write epic space battles around (or maybe not, depending on your level of creativitiy).

No, that's not what I assert. It's ironic that you use passive-aggressive insults like "a manner you understand" yet you aren't even capable of understanding simple English.

I said, and I repeat, that the Turing test has done nothing to improve AI and machine learning research. And I'm specifically talking about aiming for success in the test. I'll repeat it again for good measure: Aiming for success in the Turing test has done nothing to improve AI and machine learning research. If you knew even the tiniest bit about machine learning and AI you wouldn't be saying this.

Don't play dumb with me. I'm talking about aiming for success in the test, not simply losing in the test.

Please, don't dig yourself deeper.

I thought you'd do some research but apparently not. Oh well, I'm feeling good this morning so I'll help you out.

Part of the deal is the monitoring of the supply chain. Yes, even the mines and DEFINITELY the centrifuges. ALL the centrifuges. Monitoring means cameras filming 24/7, as well as occasional in-person inspectors, activity logs, and many other forms of inspection and verification.

The 'military facilities' that Iran refuses access to are sites where things like training, conventional weapons testing, and maintenance/assembly are carried out. They are not, as far as we know, part of their nuclear operations. Could Iran use those places for nuclear operations? Certainly. There's not much point in doing so, though.

> I wonder if a computer would eventually be a better writer/artist than what we have now.

In all likelihood they probably are, if we're talking about the crap that comes out of major studios. Have you ever seen what goes in when they're 'writing' shows and movies? It's basically like a lab or industrial operation.

> The same reason we tested inferior chess programs against grand masters. So we could learn the weaknesses, and improve upon them. So testing an AI improves the AI, like testing a chess program lead to improvements in the chess program.

This is ridiculous. There is no indication that the 'Turing test' has done ANYTHING to improve AI and machine learning research so far. If you knew even the tiniest bit about machine learning and AI you wouldn't be saying this.

As it so happens, we have an OS that's exactly like that. All it does it manage and load applications. Not only is the web browser completely outside the OS, the UI is largely outside of the OS as well. Of course, you need drivers and filesystems too, otherwise nothing works, but other than that it's pretty minimal. It's called Linux.

> Unfortunately, everyone is reading a bunch of journalists who lack even the slightest ability to parse nuance.

Precisely.

> Iran is trying to build a nuclear breakout capability.

Pretty much, but over the years their focus has shifted slightly. They used to think that having breakout capability (the ability to build a bomb within a few weeks) was the prime goal. Nowadays I think they've realized just the threat of having breakout capability itself is a useful strategic thing to have. They now want to use the nuclear program as a bargaining chip and a way to exert influence, especially against the other powers in the region. So, if Saudi Arabia or Israel start doing stuff Iran doesn't like, they can spin up the centrifuges and get everybody's attention.

At this moment the centrifuges themselves hold far more strategic value for them than any enriched Uranium coming out of them. They might even just run the centrifuges with inert gas. Actually, that's what they are planning to do with a lot of them - the cover story is that they are doing this for 'peaceful research into centrifuge technology'.

It's like you're saying Elvis is alive then asking me to prove you wrong.

You can prove yourself wrong just by doing a little bit of googling and research on weapons proliferation and the current nuclear deal.

I'll respond to valid points, but it's not my responsibility to give you a general education.

I care zero what crap the Iranian propaganda machine spews out, just as I care zero what propaganda the far-right hardliners in the US spew out. But yeah, I guess my skepticisism of the far-right's claim that Iran is developing nukes is equivalent to the blind acceptance of the far-right's claim that Iraq was developing WMDs.

Don't do drugs, kids.

Do they have internet in the looney bin now?

> they know exactly what they are doing and the "who me? this is just for energy" is part of the game.

Maybe. We do need to try to prevent any and all paths towards them building a nuclear weapon. Countries have indeed used nuclear energy programs as covers for nuclear weapons programs in the past. See: Israel.

But I get tired of this unsubstantiated Netanyahu argument that they are making a bomb right now. Do you have any evidence that they are building a bomb? No. You have zip. Am I supposed to take the argument that "OMG THEY ARE MAKING NUKES CUZ THEY ARE BAD GUYS!!!!111" seriously?

Back in 2003 it was 'obvious' that Saddam was developing a nuke. He must have been! He was a bad dictator and he even had the bad dictator hat and moustache! If we didn't attack immediately he would turn the entire USA into nuclear glass!

> To some English-language forum hosted in the US and aimed, primarily, at American audiences? Like Slashdot?

I didn't know "news for nerds" meant it's aimed primarily at American audiences. Unless you think all nerds are American.

YOU made the assertion that they're trying to build a nuke. The burden of proof is on YOU.

Are you trolling me or what?

> You did. By demanding: "Prove it"...

It's not my fault you lack reading comprehension. I recommend finishing grade school.

> What consequences would there be to assuming, they are building a nuclear weapon?

War.

> Eliminating all paths to nuclear weapons is funny too. They have the centrifuges and Uranium mines, how do you eliminate their ability to use them?

With this sentence you have revealed your 100% complete ignorance on the subject.