Posted on 11/19/2005 11:34:03 AM PST by Momaw Nadon
At the onset of the twenty-first century, humanity stands on the verge of the most transforming and the most thrilling period in its history. It will be an era in which the very nature of what it means to be human will be both enriched and challenged, as our species breaks the shackles of its genetic legacy and achieves inconceivable heights of intelligence, material progress, and longevity.
For over three decades, the great inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil has been one of the most respected and provocative advocates of the role of technology in our future. In his classic The Age of Spiritual Machines, he presented the daring argument that with the ever-accelerating rate of technological change, computers would rival the full range of human intelligence at its best. Now, in The Singularity Is Near, he examines the next step in this inexorable evolutionary process: the union of human and machine, in which the knowledge and skills embedded in our brains will be combined with the vastly greater capacity, speed, and knowledge-sharing ability of our own creations.
That merging is the essence of the Singularity, an era in which our intelligence will become increasingly nonbiological and trillions of times more powerful than it is today—the dawning of a new civilization that will enable us to transcend our biological limitations and amplify our creativity. In this new world, there will be no clear distinction between human and machine, real reality and virtual reality. We will be able to assume different bodies and take on a range of personae at will. In practical terms, human aging and illness will be reversed; pollution will be stopped; world hunger and poverty will be solved. Nanotechnology will make it possible to create virtually any physical product using inexpensive information processes and will ultimately turn even death into a soluble problem.
While the social and philosophical ramifications of these changes will be profound, and the threats they pose considerable, The Singularity Is Near maintains a radically optimistic view of the future course of human development. As such, it offers a view of the coming age that is both a dramatic culmination of centuries of technological ingenuity and a genuinely inspiring vision of our ultimate destiny.
Each generation will decide for itself. We can't foresee the end result.
Eternal porno.
Porn is a driver of technology, i.e. VCRs, the Internet). What if it were possible to have a realistic sexual experience with any woman in the world in a virtual reality system? What if we could even have these ultrarealistic sexual experiences with fictional characters? (I'm thinking of Leia in the metal bikini. LOL)
This will all be possible in the Singularity.
This is a point Kurzweil makes in The Singularity is Near
Beyond the "event horizon," we have no idea of what will happen.
I have a cat that is two opposable thumbs away from running the world.
http://www.singularityawareness.com/mikebook.html
"The three Singularity technologies of nanotechnology, Super human Artificial Intelligence (SAI), and molecular biotechnology will change our world into a paradise, that is if we can avoid the unprecedented dangers these same technologies pose, such as bio-engineered super viruses, self-replicating nanobot weapons, unfriendly super intelligent machines, and the most dangerous of all - the unlimited capability for mindless self gratification (wireheading). "
If you're not familiar with Niven's fabulous character Louis Wu: WIREHEADING IN SCIENCE FICTION
Though, I much prefer....
Thank you very much for the links . . . and the cautionary warning.
But you were emulating him bigtime.
But you were emulating him bigtime.
How so?
I never intended to suggest that opponents of the Singularity are bombers. (Although Ted Kaczynski was.)
And I never suggested that you would do such a thing.
Because you asked me if I had thought of anything there was that could stop the inevitable Singularity. Post #45.
Don't we all!
Michael Moore in drag?
Do you believe that humans are agents of God that he directs to do His will?
No, I agree with Kurzweil, the only thing that can forestall the Singularity is a worldwide totalitarian dictatorship. And again, I am against dictatorship.
If the Singularity will bring about an end to human suffering and death, then bring it on.
ah. so you ARE against medicine, high-efficiency food production, labor-saving technology, and any means of extending life.
On religious grounds.
In other words: A Luddite.
very good: nice to know where an opponent stands.
And you have absolutely nothing to back that up except your own bare assertions.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.