Luke Ryan Blog | The Singularity — a layman’s view
November 10, 2011
Source: Luke Ryan Blog — November 10, 2011 | Luke Ryan
Exponential. If you could sum up the complex concept of The Singularity into a single word it would be that word, Exponential. My introduction to The Singularity theory came from a TED video I watched some years ago that my father recommended featuring an eccentric genius named Raymond Kurzweil (below).
Ray talked a lot about the exponential growth of technology and how Moore’s law allowed his company to time their innovative products launches well into the future.
He talked about a time in the not-so-distant future when we as a people will merge with the non-biological intelligence we have created — and from that moment forward all bets are off. It will be a time when technological progress will advance at an alarming rate, leaving anyone who has not merged with the machine behind in a trail of dust.
This concept really got my whacked out brain thinking of the infinite possibilities that we may see in our lifetime.
I had questions for my new buddy Ray:
- If and when The Singularity happens how would we ever know we’ve entered it?
- What are the challenges humanity will face as we approach this radical transformation?
- Is The Singularity inevitable and, if so, how can the average person prepare for it?
- At what point in our “merge with the machines” do we lose what we think of today as our individuality?
- What role will “Snooki” play in our robotopian future?
I plan on interviewing Ray for my Web series In the Mix in the not-so-distant future, so please send me any questions you would like to pose to him and I’ll incorporate as many as I can into my interview. I’m also happy to start a discussion in the comments below about the theory of The Singularity and what it will mean for us and where we are headed. [...]
Comments (6)
by Fieldhousetroll
Question for Ray: what do you think of the Mayan prediction of the end of the world this year (Dec21,2012?)? Is it possible that an advancement so fundamental to singularity as to mark it as the birth of singularity could occur on this date?
by Cybernettr
James Randi has compiled a list of 100 ent-time prophecies that have failed down through the years, and I suspect that when 2013 rolls around, this Mayan prophecy will be added to the list. In fact, with enough creative interpretation of ancient texts, I’m sure we could find an “end-time prophecy” for just about any year.
by NancyR
Ray Kurzweil’s vision of the future is inspirational, informative and fascinating.
For a person who is technologically challenged,I actually could understand The Singularity. Thanks Luke for for your “layman’s view”.
by K.Ryan
I would be interested to hear where Kurzweil thinks singularity will first occur? Does he think it will happen here in the US then spread globally? Are we the country most focused on/closest to achieving singularity?
Also, does he think there will be a population of people that will resist this advance in technology? If so, what part would they play in the greater population?
by Suzy Becker
I would love to hear an interview with Ray Kurzweil for In the Mix. My question would be along the same lines of yours, Luke, with regard to the idea of individuality. I’m curious about the brain’s neuro-plasticity and how it will adapt to the machine merge.
by Luke Ryan
thank you so much Kurzweil team – I love your site and love debating what these radical advances in science and technology will mean for all of us.