[Destro]

The Coming Technological Singularity: How to Survive in the Post-Human Era Within thirty years, we will have the technological means to create superhuman intelligence. Shortly after, the human era will be ended.

[Luke Skyfreeper]

Exactly. But Vinge's version is only the beginning of the possible ways such a development might proceed (as illustrated by The Matrix). A quick search of the internet will turn up other ideas of the possible courses of future history.

Now tie all this in with theology. There are a bunch of ways to do that. For example, how likely would the likelihood of a Vingean singularity (of some kind) make the existence of a God?

For an extra spicy recipe, throw in the finely-tuned nature of the universe and a pinch of the Everett interpretation of quantum mechanics.

[ffusco]

Maybe the super intelligent machines will realize that life is meaningless without a soul and power off.