They soon realised Pastus had been right: this was an excellently difficult challenge, especially in the absence of an actual owl to practice on. Together they began to try to work out how owls might be tamed or domesticated. Just two or three sparrows remained behind. “ There is a flaw in that plan!” squeaked Scronkfinkle but his protests were in vain as the flock had already lifted off to start implementing the directives set out by Pastus.

After we have succeeded in raising an owl, then we can think about taking on this other challenge.” Replied Pastus. “Taming an owl sounds like an exceedingly difficult thing to do. Should we not give some thought to the art of owl- domestication and owl-taming first, before we bring such creature into our midst?” Qouth he: “This will surely be our undoing. Only Scronkfinkle, a one-eyed sparrow with a fretful temperament, was unconvinced of the wisdom of the endeavour. The flock was exhilarated, and sparrows everywhere started chirping at the top of their lungs. This could be the best thing that ever happened to us, at least since the opening of the Pavilion of Unlimited Grain in yonder backyard.” A crow chick might also do, or a baby weasel.

Then Pastus, the elder-bird spoke: “Let us send out scouts in all directions and try to find an abandoned owlet somewhere, or maybe an egg.

“It could give us advice and keep an eye out for the neighbourhood cat” added a third. “Yes!” said another, “And we could use it to look after our elderly and our young” Imagine how easy life would be if we had an owl that could help us build our nests!” It was the nest-building season, but after days of long hard work, the sparrows sat in the evening glow, relaxing and chirping away. SuperIntelligence and The Unfinished Fable of the Sparrows Superintelligence and the Unfinished Fable of the Sparrows. SuperIntelligence – The following is a review of the book Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies by Nick Bostrom

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