I actually have no doubt that you could create a machine that creates an excellent char kway teow. And if a huge community of people decided they were going to buy one maybe you could even produce it for some vaguely reasonable price. I think the challenge is that it would ONLY produce char kway teow. And you have to be really dedicated to char kway teow to use up counter space and money on a dedicated char kway teow machine. (I'm reminded of a conversation with you years ago about the special form used to make caneles)
I suspect AI is going to be very good at specialize tasks before it gets good at general ones. It seems "easy" to give an AI an understanding of contract law sufficient to create a licensing agreement between megacorps, for instance. This is the opposite of how we value human labor currently. We see a lawyer who has learned all there is to know about contracts but knows little about other areas of law as having very high value. We see a line cook at a diner who can make a wide variety of foods as having low value. Perhaps AI flips this on its head?
As I recall, the COO droid was the world's messiest line cook.
I agree with your take on general vs. specialized - my line of inquiry here is more about tacit vs. transmissible knowledge. Can we ever make the things that make food good explicit?
Really liked this "wander" . I have been enjoying the human aspect of cooking and it's inability to be machinized. The cost and value of work is always first in my thoughts as well.
My Mom passed that week you were supposed to come by the shop so sorry if I missed you. Back around, hope to hang and take up this subject over food and drink.
I'm so sorry to hear that! I hope you and your family are well.
I did stop by, and actually left something with your bartender for you. If you look in your freezer at Dragon you should find a small vacuum pouch of buah keluak - eat it with steamed rice. I'll try to swing by sometime in the next few days.
I actually have no doubt that you could create a machine that creates an excellent char kway teow. And if a huge community of people decided they were going to buy one maybe you could even produce it for some vaguely reasonable price. I think the challenge is that it would ONLY produce char kway teow. And you have to be really dedicated to char kway teow to use up counter space and money on a dedicated char kway teow machine. (I'm reminded of a conversation with you years ago about the special form used to make caneles)
I suspect AI is going to be very good at specialize tasks before it gets good at general ones. It seems "easy" to give an AI an understanding of contract law sufficient to create a licensing agreement between megacorps, for instance. This is the opposite of how we value human labor currently. We see a lawyer who has learned all there is to know about contracts but knows little about other areas of law as having very high value. We see a line cook at a diner who can make a wide variety of foods as having low value. Perhaps AI flips this on its head?
And, of course, I'm reminded of the COO droid, who I'm sure makes a mean char kway teow https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Unidentified_COO-series_cook_droid
As I recall, the COO droid was the world's messiest line cook.
I agree with your take on general vs. specialized - my line of inquiry here is more about tacit vs. transmissible knowledge. Can we ever make the things that make food good explicit?
Wow. Great argument! And great discussion. Thanks, all.
Really liked this "wander" . I have been enjoying the human aspect of cooking and it's inability to be machinized. The cost and value of work is always first in my thoughts as well.
My Mom passed that week you were supposed to come by the shop so sorry if I missed you. Back around, hope to hang and take up this subject over food and drink.
I'm so sorry to hear that! I hope you and your family are well.
I did stop by, and actually left something with your bartender for you. If you look in your freezer at Dragon you should find a small vacuum pouch of buah keluak - eat it with steamed rice. I'll try to swing by sometime in the next few days.