[inquest]

What, if anything, can stop exponential technological advances which will lead to the Singularity?

Stop? A reply ago you were saying "forestall". I suppose I can't really say what will happen a billion years from now, but within our own lifetime, there are plenty of options to slow things down to the point where things don't get completely out of our control.

For starters, eliminating patent protection for "advances" in that direction will help take the wind out of the sails.

[Fitzcarraldo]

For starters, eliminating patent protection for "advances" in that direction will help take the wind out of the sails.

I expect there to be a new arm of "homeland security" instituted to neutralize outbreaks of runaway technology.

[ThinkDifferent]

For starters, eliminating patent protection for "advances" in that direction will help take the wind out of the sails.

Actually that would probably accelerate the process; therefore I support it.