Comments on: Singularity Q&A http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a Accelerating Intelligence Sat, 25 May 2013 17:00:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: peterretief http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-152562 peterretief Wed, 22 May 2013 18:12:01 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-152562 Great topic, a quick response while I have the thought in my head, you mention that we need to copy the human brain to get creative thought, I don't think that would be the best approach. you must be familiar with coin reader mechanisms. they depend on imperfectly wound coils that trigger on the coins passage, the imperfections create the "character" that gets acceptable ranges for specific coins, possibly what the Japanese expression wabui sabi means for "appreciation" of used teacups, this I believe would be the path for machine appreciation and creative thought, but we would have to let the imperfections be truly random with a feedback to achieve acceptable mutations and deletion of less useful mutations Great topic, a quick response while I have the thought in my head, you mention that we need to copy the human brain to get creative thought, I don’t think that would be the best approach. you must be familiar with coin reader mechanisms. they depend on imperfectly wound coils that trigger on the coins passage, the imperfections create the “character” that gets acceptable ranges for specific coins, possibly what the Japanese expression wabui sabi means for “appreciation” of used teacups, this I believe would be the path for machine appreciation and creative thought, but we would have to let the imperfections be truly random with a feedback to achieve acceptable mutations and deletion of less useful mutations

]]> By: Typist http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-149108 Typist Thu, 16 May 2013 01:21:02 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-149108 The bottom line assumption of this very interesting theory seems to be that intelligence is good, and the more the better. I keep waiting for an explanation of why the most intelligent species on this planet has developed the ability to pretty much destroy everything in a single day, and we mostly don't really care. I'm afraid the evidence does not point to "more is better" being a good way to think about intelligence. The bottom line assumption of this very interesting theory seems to be that intelligence is good, and the more the better.

I keep waiting for an explanation of why the most intelligent species on this planet has developed the ability to pretty much destroy everything in a single day, and we mostly don’t really care.

I’m afraid the evidence does not point to “more is better” being a good way to think about intelligence.

]]> By: Peter Gray http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-147782 Peter Gray Mon, 13 May 2013 13:56:22 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-147782 The best comment here is the first one, about purpose. RK's entire thesis is based on a basic confusion between 'intelligence' and 'processing power'. This is easily demonstrated by Google's latest email interface - lots of processing power, zero intelligence. One could also cite the growth of spam or the tautology of an "intelligent guided weapon"...or even of 'artificial intelligence' itself. Intelligence is a concept which is inherently human, and therefore flawed. The flaw here is the idea that it can be measured in units drawn from an unrelated field. The ability to process information (finding and calculating) and the ability to evaluate and use information are two entirely different things. This is where having a purpose comes in. A machine sitting in a nice cozy metal box has no need of a purpose of its own, whereas our biological ancestors had to find that cave, or light that fire, pretty damn fast. Humans can evaluate without calculation - machines can't, and why would we want them to? It is time we stopped thinking of progress as driven by Intel - it isn't. The best comment here is the first one, about purpose. RK’s entire thesis is based on a basic confusion between ‘intelligence’ and ‘processing power’. This is easily demonstrated by Google’s latest email interface – lots of processing power, zero intelligence. One could also cite the growth of spam or the tautology of an “intelligent guided weapon”…or even of ‘artificial intelligence’ itself.
Intelligence is a concept which is inherently human, and therefore flawed. The flaw here is the idea that it can be measured in units drawn from an unrelated field. The ability to process information (finding and calculating) and the ability to evaluate and use information are two entirely different things. This is where having a purpose comes in. A machine sitting in a nice cozy metal box has no need of a purpose of its own, whereas our biological ancestors had to find that cave, or light that fire, pretty damn fast. Humans can evaluate without calculation – machines can’t, and why would we want them to? It is time we stopped thinking of progress as driven by Intel – it isn’t.

]]> By: Bri http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-48358 Bri Sat, 03 Nov 2012 23:11:50 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-48358 Though to be fair, such topics are often discussed in relation to said Superinteligence. As we become more connected, our group mind forms another organism, or should I say emergent behavior. Though to be fair, such topics are often discussed in relation to said Superinteligence. As we become more connected, our group mind forms another organism, or should I say emergent behavior.

]]> By: Bri http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-48357 Bri Sat, 03 Nov 2012 23:05:56 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-48357 Then your saying that whether forecasters are prophets? We always try to anticipate an out come. Prophecy has little to do with knowledgable assessments. Most Biblical prophecies have to do with " Divine retribution". Then your saying that whether forecasters are prophets? We always try to anticipate an out come. Prophecy has little to do with knowledgable assessments. Most Biblical prophecies have to do with ” Divine retribution”.

]]> By: Editor http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-48331 Editor Sat, 03 Nov 2012 20:44:26 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-48331 The technological Singularity is a forecast regarding the development of superintelligence, not machine consciousness or creation of a race of robots. The technological Singularity is a forecast regarding the development of superintelligence, not machine consciousness or creation of a race of robots.

]]> By: SteveAgnew http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-48294 SteveAgnew Sat, 03 Nov 2012 17:40:50 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-48294 Kurzweil’s Singularity I feel that Kurzweil’s stories about a coming singularity of consciousness are intriguing and thought provoking, but he seems to overlook a fundamental part of the evolution of human feeling and emotion: purpose. In other words, creating robots with human consciousness means that robots would have our same purpose...and necessarily have the same complex social problems that humans have. Or have we magically solved the human condition and now know how to create a master race of perfectly virtuous human robots without any faults? So if you still recognize that human judgement even at the coming singularity will still leave much to be desired, we will still only ever create a race of robots that therefore have our same faults. Then what would be the purpose of creating robots that have our same problems? Wasn’t the whole purpose to not have any more human problems? Dream on. Kurzweil’s Singularity

I feel that Kurzweil’s stories about a coming singularity of consciousness are intriguing and thought provoking, but he seems to overlook a fundamental part of the evolution of human feeling and emotion: purpose.

In other words, creating robots with human consciousness means that robots would have our same purpose…and necessarily have the same complex social problems that humans have. Or have we magically solved the human condition and now know how to create a master race of perfectly virtuous human robots without any faults?

So if you still recognize that human judgement even at the coming singularity will still leave much to be desired, we will still only ever create a race of robots that therefore have our same faults. Then what would be the purpose of creating robots that have our same problems? Wasn’t the whole purpose to not have any more human problems?

Dream on.

]]> By: Neat Futuristic Predictions in the Science World | EYES IN EYES IN http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-41763 Neat Futuristic Predictions in the Science World | EYES IN EYES IN Sat, 13 Oct 2012 03:08:19 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-41763 [...] But don't worry about intelligent computers plotting to murder us puny humans, the way cyber-villains HAL 9000 and Skynet did in science fiction movies. A more likely scenario, Kurzweil predicts, is that tiny intelligent "nanobots" will be subtly be integrated into our bodies, enhancing our own abilities. Thus, the human of the future will no longer have to depend solely upon a hunk of wrinkly meat inside his or her skull. Instead, we'll all be part biological creature and part machine [source: Kurzweil]. [...] [...] But don't worry about intelligent computers plotting to murder us puny humans, the way cyber-villains HAL 9000 and Skynet did in science fiction movies. A more likely scenario, Kurzweil predicts, is that tiny intelligent "nanobots" will be subtly be integrated into our bodies, enhancing our own abilities. Thus, the human of the future will no longer have to depend solely upon a hunk of wrinkly meat inside his or her skull. Instead, we'll all be part biological creature and part machine [source: Kurzweil]. [...]

]]> By: Humility and Charity http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-25549 Humility and Charity Sun, 22 Jul 2012 00:24:48 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-25549 Here is what i think: 1- UNIVERSE CHAOS- We still don´t know how to protect us from a universe instability (asteroid, rapid change of our solar system configuration) which would for example rise the temperature so that any device capable of computing what so ever would burn and our "evolved human" would die in the end but life would maybe stay for a while, as, for ex, some bacteria resist to 90degree C. And as chemicals molecules would stay there and rearrange, after a while, in adequate condition, in procaryote and etc. Which means that the probability we are alone in the universe is kind of small (as the universe is so big and as the life condition happening on earth must not be the only place where it is happening) 2- MARKET POWER- We should work on getting a better spirit as the technology evolves. Economy and politic leads the world now a day, and I´m more afraid of that than any AI robots. Economy and politic aim at investing, selling and getting money back ... It does not aim at helping people who needs help, it does not aim at humanity survival... I don´t think the evolution of technology made the marketing choices.. I don´t think that any group giving birth to a technology can ever control its becoming on the market, and that is what is scary. 3- NATURE POWER- We are very far from understanding the "computation" happening in the human brain and spinal cord. How signals transmitted from dendrites are integrated by a neuron that will lead to a certain type of answer (different speed, different amount of neurotransmetteur), this happening in parrallel for many others neurons around, is giving us the ability to move, think, see, breath, regulate our organs, .. I don´t see how we are close to imitate such a complex system with devices. If any kind of longer life is allowed, it will be one where our brain is supplied by nutrients and cultured in vitro, which is not possible for now, and the brain would be connected (and we are quite far from an optimal connection) to a computer in order that we would be able to speak through a computer, Which would be a quite good condition, providing that our happyness only relies in communicating (we wouldn´t have our body). Let´s suppose we have our body from artificial organs: a small change in one chemical reaction in our body creates so many diseases that we are unable to treat.. How close to a natural organ can be an artificial organ, to avoid creating new diseases ? I do not see 2045 here, unless people doing research are coordinated, and honnest (which they are not because they compete instead of coordinate, and they lie about their findings to get more money). 4- ENVIRONMENT- Here is developped how the NBIC nanotechnology-biotechnology-informatic- and cognitive science will achieve an "evolved human", and will also solve the environmental issue.. Every device conceived now a day consume more and more energy. The city is thought in a so stupid way that people use energy every day to use a transport to go to work, pick up children, go shopping. Do we really need to waste so much earth energy ? Is economy and politic thinking the good way ? A reasonable thing, when you think you can find a new kind of ressources but you don´t posess it yet, would be to save as much as possible the already existing ressources you need to rely on. Otherwise, you die one day.. And it is just because you have been stupid not to save the ressources you had, when it was still time to do it. Here is what i think:

1- UNIVERSE CHAOS- We still don´t know how to protect us from a universe instability (asteroid, rapid change of our solar system

configuration) which would for example rise the temperature so that any device capable of computing what so ever would burn

and our “evolved human” would die in the end but life would maybe stay for a while, as, for ex, some bacteria resist to

90degree C. And as chemicals molecules would stay there and rearrange, after a while, in adequate condition, in procaryote and

etc. Which means that the probability we are alone in the universe is kind of small (as the universe is so big and as the life

condition happening on earth must not be the only place where it is happening)

2- MARKET POWER- We should work on getting a better spirit as the technology evolves. Economy and politic leads the world now a day, and I´m more afraid of that than any AI robots. Economy and politic aim at investing, selling and getting money back … It does not aim at helping people who needs help, it does not aim at humanity survival… I don´t think the evolution of technology made the marketing choices.. I don´t think that any group giving birth to a technology can ever control its becoming on the market, and that is what is scary.

3- NATURE POWER- We are very far from understanding the “computation” happening in the human brain and spinal cord. How signals transmitted

from dendrites are integrated by a neuron that will lead to a certain type of answer (different speed, different amount of

neurotransmetteur), this happening in parrallel for many others neurons around, is giving us the ability to move, think, see,

breath, regulate our organs, .. I don´t see how we are close to imitate such a complex system with devices. If any kind of

longer life is allowed, it will be one where our brain is supplied by nutrients and cultured in vitro, which is not possible

for now, and the brain would be connected (and we are quite far from an optimal connection) to a computer in order that we

would be able to speak through a computer, Which would be a quite good condition, providing that our happyness only relies in

communicating (we wouldn´t have our body). Let´s suppose we have our body from artificial organs: a small change in one

chemical reaction in our body creates so many diseases that we are unable to treat.. How close to a natural organ can be an

artificial organ, to avoid creating new diseases ? I do not see 2045 here, unless people doing research are coordinated, and

honnest (which they are not because they compete instead of coordinate, and they lie about their findings to get more money).

4- ENVIRONMENT- Here is developped how the NBIC nanotechnology-biotechnology-informatic- and cognitive science will achieve an “evolved human”, and will also solve the environmental issue.. Every device conceived now a day consume more and more energy. The city is thought in a so stupid way that people use energy every day to use a transport to go to work, pick up children, go

shopping. Do we really need to waste so much earth energy ? Is economy and politic thinking the good way ? A reasonable thing,

when you think you can find a new kind of ressources but you don´t posess it yet, would be to save as much as possible the

already existing ressources you need to rely on. Otherwise, you die one day.. And it is just because you have been stupid not

to save the ressources you had, when it was still time to do it.

]]> By: Eli http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-23555 Eli Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:05:43 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-23555 Till now I thought Prophecy was only for religious people. I just learned that in the scientific community there are prophets as well. Till now I thought Prophecy was only for religious people. I just learned that in the scientific community there are prophets as well.

]]> By: chandra haas http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-19558 chandra haas Thu, 21 Jun 2012 02:24:22 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-19558 Why the year 2045? Also what makes you think that all the past histories will be meaningless after a point??...I mean we don't have the computational power to predict the path of a 100 atoms simultaneously at the moment...If our computational power increases a 1000 times...then we'll be able to predict a million atoms...still a small no and a long way to go.... Why the year 2045?
Also what makes you think that all the past histories will be meaningless after a point??…I mean we don’t have the computational power to predict the path of a 100 atoms simultaneously at the moment…If our computational power increases a 1000 times…then we’ll be able to predict a million atoms…still a small no and a long way to go….

]]> By: Randall Caruso http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-17455 Randall Caruso Tue, 12 Jun 2012 02:38:31 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-17455 In order to implement the positive and enlightened changes that you are suggesting, the logical conclusion will be that the machines must be running things, since they will be originating the ideas that will guide our future society. Why would you assume that they would just turn over the future to us instead of taking it from us for our own good? In order to implement the positive and enlightened changes that you are suggesting, the logical conclusion will be that the machines must be running things, since they will be originating the ideas that will guide our future society. Why would you assume that they would just turn over the future to us instead of taking it from us for our own good?

]]> By: Chris http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-17185 Chris Sun, 10 Jun 2012 01:00:11 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-17185 Hearing of "The Singularity" marks the first time that I have been frightened of living forever. Hearing of “The Singularity” marks the first time that I have been frightened of living forever.

]]> By: srgg67 http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-16432 srgg67 Sun, 03 Jun 2012 21:04:16 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-16432 Are you joking indeed? Then it will be no necessary to work at all. Just a happines for lots of people. :) However as suggested there will be no people, but another beings. I hope some of them will remember their existence BEFORE it. Are you joking indeed? Then it will be no necessary to work at all. Just a happines for lots of people. :) However as suggested there will be no people, but another beings. I hope some of them will remember their existence BEFORE it.

]]> By: Just Another Blogger http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-15650 Just Another Blogger Wed, 23 May 2012 16:55:10 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-15650 I just have one question. How will Singularity transform economy ? If we have AI and Robots which are superior compared to humans. Wouldnt they do alle the work for us ? This means all humans will become unemployed cause their workforce is not needet anymore as machines will work more efficient. So what to do abouth this ? If there is no wage income anymore people will need other forms of income to make a living. I just have one question. How will Singularity transform economy ?

If we have AI and Robots which are superior compared to humans. Wouldnt they do alle the work for us ? This means all humans will become unemployed cause their workforce is not needet anymore as machines will work more efficient.

So what to do abouth this ? If there is no wage income anymore people will need other forms of income to make a living.

]]> By: Dan Foley http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-14197 Dan Foley Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:07:02 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-14197 http://wfnt.com/singularity-and-the-new-600-man/ http://wfnt.com/singularity-and-the-new-600-man/

]]> By: James http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-13861 James Sat, 21 Apr 2012 02:04:27 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-13861 Reading about The Singularity gives me the same feeling as Carl Sagan's Cosmos: a quiet awe that builds as is slowly revealed nothing less than the immensity of the Universe, and our place within it. But this hints at our own potential, to reach out and grasp what is now almost beyond imagining. I look forward to the next few decades. Reading about The Singularity gives me the same feeling as Carl Sagan’s Cosmos: a quiet awe that builds as is slowly revealed nothing less than the immensity of the Universe, and our place within it. But this hints at our own potential, to reach out and grasp what is now almost beyond imagining. I look forward to the next few decades.

]]> By: Richard Sittel http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-13462 Richard Sittel Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:57:39 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-13462 Resistance is futile...... Resistance is futile……

]]> By: Gerard http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-13316 Gerard Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:53:04 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-13316 I was doing a blog research when I just simply saw and visit the site just to find out what are the things that should I encounter. And it does this is nice. I absolutely enjoy reading this article about the 'singularity', it's done clearly and the information was there. | <a href="http://www.instanttaxsolutions.com/tax-relief/tax-relief-scams.html" rel="nofollow">instant tax solutions scams</a> I was doing a blog research when I just simply saw and visit the site just to find out what are the things that should I encounter. And it does this is nice. I absolutely enjoy reading this article about the ‘singularity’, it’s done clearly and the information was there. | instant tax solutions scams

]]> By: Dan Foley http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-13225 Dan Foley Tue, 10 Apr 2012 02:11:38 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-13225 Great brief description of what you envision! Reading The Singularity is Near currently, and enjoyed Transcendent Man. Linked to this in a fun blog: http://wfnt.com/never-mind-obamacare-here-come-the-nanobots Great brief description of what you envision! Reading The Singularity is Near currently, and enjoyed Transcendent Man. Linked to this in a fun blog: http://wfnt.com/never-mind-obamacare-here-come-the-nanobots

]]> By: Never Mind Obamacare, Here Come the Nanobots http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-13223 Never Mind Obamacare, Here Come the Nanobots Tue, 10 Apr 2012 02:02:54 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-13223 [...] the “utility function” we assign to their design is “economic success.”  As Ray Kurzweil envisions it they will be developed more along the model of computer technology than health care [...] [...] the “utility function” we assign to their design is “economic success.”  As Ray Kurzweil envisions it they will be developed more along the model of computer technology than health care [...]

]]> By: the_mystagogue http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-12877 the_mystagogue Thu, 05 Apr 2012 07:35:07 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-12877 can't wait for the future! finally, to be able to outgrow our limitations, to optimize our evolution, what is it not to like? then to the stars and beyond. imagine! what a trip! can’t wait for the future! finally, to be able to outgrow our limitations, to optimize our evolution, what is it not to like? then to the stars and beyond. imagine! what a trip!

]]> By: Kurzweil’s ‘Singularity’ make Kaku’s predictions seem modest « Investment Watch Blog – 2012 http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-11772 Kurzweil’s ‘Singularity’ make Kaku’s predictions seem modest « Investment Watch Blog – 2012 Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:49:25 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-11772 [...] ‘Singularity’ explained here icBeacon('investmentwatchblog'); Be Sociable, Share! Tweet(function() {var [...] [...] ‘Singularity’ explained here icBeacon('investmentwatchblog'); Be Sociable, Share! Tweet(function() {var [...]

]]> By: sam I_am http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-11640 sam I_am Sun, 25 Mar 2012 17:44:48 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-11640 Can there be individuality once singularity is reached? Kurzweil wants to join with the singularity. Will joining with a all knowing singularity allow Kurzweil any level of self conscious? We are already joined with the Universe and it is our temporary separation (life) that gives us conscious. Or does Kurzwell hope to be god like by growing with the singularity? Can there be individuality once singularity is reached? Kurzweil wants to join with the singularity. Will joining with a all knowing singularity allow Kurzweil any level of self conscious? We are already joined with the Universe and it is our temporary separation (life) that gives us conscious. Or does Kurzwell hope to be god like by growing with the singularity?

]]> By: Chris http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-11386 Chris Fri, 23 Mar 2012 04:45:21 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-11386 It's a looooooooong way from Ramona to "singularity. To have meaning for human being an artificial intelligence should have a sensorium and be able to compare sensations. Our ability to create ideal forms depends on the ability to compare experiences. in context. It’s a looooooooong way from Ramona to “singularity. To have meaning for human being an artificial intelligence should have a sensorium and be able to compare sensations. Our ability to create ideal forms depends on the ability to compare experiences. in context.

]]> By: GobiracerGo http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-9438 GobiracerGo Fri, 02 Mar 2012 01:39:23 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-9438 I think the technological spike is going to become more self evident by the end of this decade. If you remember the 90s there were barely any cell phones at the beginning of the 90s, unless you count those cumbersome bricks but by the beginning of the 2000s we had major progress and now another decade in we have smartphones with the next gen of phones touted to be more powerful yet. PCs may have slowed down in development but its all about integrated computing baby! I welcome the next 2 decades of technological advancement and just show me where to sign for immortality! I think the technological spike is going to become more self evident by the end of this decade. If you remember the 90s there were barely any cell phones at the beginning of the 90s, unless you count those cumbersome bricks but by the beginning of the 2000s we had major progress and now another decade in we have smartphones with the next gen of phones touted to be more powerful yet. PCs may have slowed down in development but its all about integrated computing baby! I welcome the next 2 decades of technological advancement and just show me where to sign for immortality!

]]> By: sblack http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-8802 sblack Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:32:23 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-8802 Again, as FYI, here is the predictions update someone was looking for: http://www.kurzweilai.net/how-my-predictions-are-faring-an-update-by-ray-kurzweil Again, as FYI, here is the predictions update someone was looking for: http://www.kurzweilai.net/how-my-predictions-are-faring-an-update-by-ray-kurzweil

]]> By: sblack http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-8801 sblack Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:31:41 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-8801 OK, I've finally formatted this properly as text. I hope this is helpful so that you can now copy-paste. Enjoy! OK, I’ve finally formatted this properly as text. I hope this is helpful so that you can now copy-paste. Enjoy!

]]> By: How Stein http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-8698 How Stein Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:44:07 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-8698 Today's first bioengineered hamburger will sell for $100,000. It is not a mock meat it is created by a vascular surgeon who apparently wants to be richer than Ray Croc. It will win a $1mm prize and usher in an industry that will transform the planet, as long as it taste good. The $1mm prize wll be used to plan a bioengineered leather shoe Today’s first bioengineered hamburger will sell for $100,000.
It is not a mock meat it is created by a vascular surgeon who apparently wants to be richer than Ray Croc.
It will win a $1mm prize and usher in an industry that will transform the planet, as long as it taste good. The $1mm prize wll be used to plan a
bioengineered leather shoe

]]> By: Micheal Karg http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-8632 Micheal Karg Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:20:01 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-8632 I'd so much like to believe that Singularity is in fact 'near' but imho we wont get there for at least a century kurzweil estimates exponential growth to continue no matter how far it has already progressed, but at the current state of technology doubling performance gets harder and harder. we have already given in to this by packaging multiple cores into one CPU which resulted in a massive slowdown of growth in performance defined by Amdahl's law (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amdahl%27s_law). This was the first step towards the flattening of the exponential curve that will continue at least until a completely new paradigm comes along (which doesn't seem very close) I'd really much like to know what Ray Kurzweil's opinion on Singularity is with all these dramatic changes in the last couple of years? btw: all these slides seem to stop at 2005, are there any updated ones available? Kind regards Micheal I’d so much like to believe that Singularity is in fact ‘near’
but imho we wont get there for at least a century

kurzweil estimates exponential growth to continue no matter how far it has already progressed,
but at the current state of technology doubling performance gets harder and harder.

we have already given in to this by packaging multiple cores into one CPU
which resulted in a massive slowdown of growth in performance defined by Amdahl’s law (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amdahl%27s_law).

This was the first step towards the flattening of the exponential curve that will continue
at least until a completely new paradigm comes along (which doesn’t seem very close)

I’d really much like to know what Ray Kurzweil’s opinion on Singularity
is with all these dramatic changes in the last couple of years?

btw: all these slides seem to stop at 2005,
are there any updated ones available?

Kind regards
Micheal

]]> By: Selva Oscura « Indefinite Solution http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-8288 Selva Oscura « Indefinite Solution Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:30:13 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-8288 [...] intense digital brain we’re locked into becoming. So lock in I shall. Not out of optimism, like Kurzweil, but out of a recognition of the futility of resistance to evolution’s mandate of technological [...] [...] intense digital brain we’re locked into becoming. So lock in I shall. Not out of optimism, like Kurzweil, but out of a recognition of the futility of resistance to evolution’s mandate of technological [...]

]]> By: Singularity | Air & Space http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-8253 Singularity | Air & Space Sun, 12 Feb 2012 06:05:58 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-8253 [...] Kurzweil: The singularity is near The primary failure is the inability of many observers to think in exponential [...] [...] Kurzweil: The singularity is near The primary failure is the inability of many observers to think in exponential [...]

]]> By: Jonathan http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-8157 Jonathan Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:07:41 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-8157 From Wikipedia - Basic Needs: A traditional list of immediate "basic needs" is food (including water), shelter, and clothing.[1] Many modern lists emphasize the minimum level of consumption of 'basic needs' of not just food, water, and shelter, but also sanitation, education, and healthcare. Different agencies use different lists. Extend 3D printing, robotic manufacturing, new farming techniques (or even "printing food") and you can cheaply and reliably produce the basic needs for any size population. Housing isn't even a problem with floating cities or mega sky scrapers (it's about being dry and safe, not living in a villa). When all basic needs are provided in an automated way, earning money will no longer be to cover our basic needs. Jobs and careers will change (see Star Trek). From Wikipedia – Basic Needs: A traditional list of immediate “basic needs” is food (including water), shelter, and clothing.[1] Many modern lists emphasize the minimum level of consumption of ‘basic needs’ of not just food, water, and shelter, but also sanitation, education, and healthcare. Different agencies use different lists.

Extend 3D printing, robotic manufacturing, new farming techniques (or even “printing food”) and you can cheaply and reliably produce the basic needs for any size population. Housing isn’t even a problem with floating cities or mega sky scrapers (it’s about being dry and safe, not living in a villa). When all basic needs are provided in an automated way, earning money will no longer be to cover our basic needs. Jobs and careers will change (see Star Trek).

]]> By: Rorque http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-6866 Rorque Sun, 08 Jan 2012 02:31:00 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-6866 Interesting reading. One sentence however, really did stand out to me as being not very clear at all, as in, er, can you explain that in some detail please as it makes no sense to my earthworm-sourced brain. This: 'We'll have the means to meet the material needs of any conceivable size population of biological humans.' Now the only way that I can make any sense of that is to presume that by that point people may still be shagging as much as ever but that either: 1. They're predominantly shagging movie stars or goddesses in virtual worlds so no babies coming along ..., or 2. They're shagging for real, but that some(all?)new humans coming popping along into this lovely place aren't doing so as new 'biological humans' Something else? Otherwise, with radically enhanced lifespans dramatically wiping out death-rates, how is there enough room on Earth, realistically, for 'any conceivable size population of biological humans? So I've left two comments in two days and so far I'm evil and dim? Maybe the two go hand-in-hand. Interesting reading.
One sentence however, really did stand out to me as being not very clear at all, as in, er, can you explain that in some detail please as it makes no sense to my earthworm-sourced brain.
This:
‘We’ll have the means to meet the material needs of any conceivable size population of biological humans.’
Now the only way that I can make any sense of that is to presume that by that point people may still be shagging as much as ever but that either:
1. They’re predominantly shagging movie stars or goddesses in virtual worlds so no babies coming along …, or
2. They’re shagging for real, but that some(all?)new humans coming popping along into this lovely place aren’t doing so as new ‘biological humans’
Something else?
Otherwise, with radically enhanced lifespans dramatically wiping out death-rates, how is there enough room on Earth, realistically, for ‘any conceivable size population of biological humans?
So I’ve left two comments in two days and so far I’m evil and dim? Maybe the two go hand-in-hand.

]]> By: sblack http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-6449 sblack Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:08:12 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-6449 Regarding predictions update, see this: http://www.kurzweilai.net/how-my-predictions-are-faring-an-update-by-ray-kurzweil Regarding predictions update, see this: http://www.kurzweilai.net/how-my-predictions-are-faring-an-update-by-ray-kurzweil

]]> By: mdender http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-6446 mdender Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:09:02 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-6446 Would be interesting to see charts tracking Ray's predictions to actual technology advancement. 6 years later, are we on track? Would be interesting to see charts tracking Ray’s predictions to actual technology advancement. 6 years later, are we on track?

]]> By: Cybernettr http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-6422 Cybernettr Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:58:39 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-6422 Not the easiest-to-read format imaginable, but worth reading anyway. Not the easiest-to-read format imaginable, but worth reading anyway.

]]> By: LaboriousCretin http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-6326 LaboriousCretin Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:17:31 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-6326 Just going to make it to fun to play with the people. LOL . One God/deity ? ROFL let alone each persons perceptions of such things . Then you also have the parts of the limit of human intelligence or knowledge and capacity. As if a smarter than human would want to help humans anyway. http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/A_Lecture_on_the_Limits_of_Human_Knowledge LOL . So I would rather keep my black swans over the code word singularity, as it fits better to me and has been around longer and that is what is coming to be. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_swan_theory and a paradigm shift http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradigm_shift . Just my perspective. Nice small article. Just going to make it to fun to play with the people. LOL . One God/deity ? ROFL let alone each persons perceptions of such things . Then you also have the parts of the limit of human intelligence or knowledge and capacity. As if a smarter than human would want to help humans anyway. http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/A_Lecture_on_the_Limits_of_Human_Knowledge LOL . So I would rather keep my black swans over the code word singularity, as it fits better to me and has been around longer and that is what is coming to be. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_swan_theory and a paradigm shift http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradigm_shift . Just my perspective. Nice small article.

]]> By: Saerain http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-6319 Saerain Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:00:48 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-6319 And these questions are still being asked as if no one has ever thought of them, let alone answered them. And these questions are still being asked as if no one has ever thought of them, let alone answered them.

]]> By: sblack http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-6296 sblack Sat, 10 Dec 2011 16:58:19 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-6296 Enjoy! Enjoy!

]]> By: Jotto http://www.kurzweilai.net/singularity-q-a/comment-page-1#comment-6295 Jotto Sat, 10 Dec 2011 16:45:46 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=135898#comment-6295 All right, thanks very much! May humanity go forth and further evolve. All right, thanks very much! May humanity go forth and further evolve.

]]>