Comments on: The Singularity and schools: an interview with Vernor Vinge http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge Accelerating Intelligence Sun, 19 May 2013 18:08:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: hal http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-26487 hal Sat, 28 Jul 2012 23:47:32 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-26487 UR right. But irony and paradox are integral, intertwined in life. If any negative did not exist (pick any one), we would not have a default to deny. In the current story the cycle of life includes death and decay. Spielberg's movie "AI" had non-human machines longingly repairing the humanoid boy machine at the bottom of an ocean, the human past with its issues and objections apparently trumping a problem-less future. i like to say "if you are looking for justice, equity, and fair play then you should leave the planet as both good and bad things happen to both good and bad people in no distinct pattern. Michael Crichton said (i believe), "life finds a way" in Jurassic Park. it is so thrilling to find such intelligence all around us in all areas of content. of the 7 billion people on earth the elite minds are few, good minds, a bit more, and a massive number functioning at a much lower level. Together we muddle along. and until and unless we conquer death, it serves as a refreshing beginning. The good news being things most of us consider bad eventually dies and decays, the sad news is that the good ones also pass away. In the end it seems just about even as long as life is still here on earth. If we are lucky we will learn there is life throughout the universe and the pressure is off us to figure it all out. Life is good. Say, wonder if that saying could be copyrighted and put on coffee mugs and t-shirts. teehee UR right. But irony and paradox are integral, intertwined in life. If any negative did not exist (pick any one), we would not have a default to deny. In the current story the cycle of life includes death and decay.
Spielberg’s movie “AI” had non-human machines longingly repairing the humanoid boy machine at the bottom of an ocean, the human past with its issues and objections apparently trumping a problem-less future.
i like to say “if you are looking for justice, equity, and fair play then you should leave the planet as both good and bad things happen to both good and bad people in no distinct pattern.
Michael Crichton said (i believe), “life finds a way” in Jurassic Park. it is so thrilling to find such intelligence all around us in all areas of content. of the 7 billion people on earth the elite minds are few, good minds, a bit more, and a massive number functioning at a much lower level. Together we muddle along. and until and unless we conquer death, it serves as a refreshing beginning. The good news being things most of us consider bad eventually dies and decays, the sad news is that the good ones also pass away. In the end it seems just about even as long as life is still here on earth. If we are lucky we will learn there is life throughout the universe and the pressure is off us to figure it all out. Life is good. Say, wonder if that saying could be copyrighted and put on coffee mugs and t-shirts. teehee

]]> By: hal http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-26477 hal Sat, 28 Jul 2012 23:03:15 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-26477 the pre-existing conditions for all that is here currently followed a set of rules loosely matching what we understand by way of survival evolving into areas of best practice. The scientific method evolving from more rudimentary trial and error. Whether we reach into understanding to an absolute level of how life works and came to exist here remains to be seen. The journey is more than part of the experience, it is the experience. People sure of what is yet unknown are part of the whole experience and useful as talking points, like bumpers on a billiard table. the pre-existing conditions for all that is here currently followed a set of rules loosely matching what we understand by way of survival evolving into areas of best practice. The scientific method evolving from more rudimentary trial and error. Whether we reach into understanding to an absolute level of how life works and came to exist here remains to be seen. The journey is more than part of the experience, it is the experience. People sure of what is yet unknown are part of the whole experience and useful as talking points, like bumpers on a billiard table.

]]> By: gaoptimize http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-26258 gaoptimize Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:23:16 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-26258 Don't be too harsh Schmaia. I think "Gaia" refers to the unpredictable higher-level consequences of a large and complex organization of well understood hardware at the micro-scale. Even an engineer can accept that, right? I share you scepticism though, when too many touchy-feely liberal minds full of mush get involved in these discussions. Don’t be too harsh Schmaia. I think “Gaia” refers to the unpredictable higher-level consequences of a large and complex organization of well understood hardware at the micro-scale. Even an engineer can accept that, right? I share you scepticism though, when too many touchy-feely liberal minds full of mush get involved in these discussions.

]]> By: Pete http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25985 Pete Thu, 26 Jul 2012 09:15:18 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25985 I have spent a bit of time thinking about how Gaia theory (according to Lovelock and Margulis) relates to emergent super-consciousness. One of the challenges for people thinking about intelligence is that we have a very definite view of what a human is, and where intelligence resides. Typically we think of intelligence as relating to the brain, instead of a vast network of sensors and receptors spread throughout the body. Then there is the issue of what are we made of? Margulis and Lovelock often spoke about the human body as a massive collection of microorganisms rather than one united intelligent entity. The Gaia theory already attributes primitive intelligence to the global network of microorganisms, surely once the Internet of Things and synthetic life connects via IPv7 or 8 then we might see some fireworks and wake up with a collective intelligence? I have spent a bit of time thinking about how Gaia theory (according to Lovelock and Margulis) relates to emergent super-consciousness. One of the challenges for people thinking about intelligence is that we have a very definite view of what a human is, and where intelligence resides. Typically we think of intelligence as relating to the brain, instead of a vast network of sensors and receptors spread throughout the body. Then there is the issue of what are we made of? Margulis and Lovelock often spoke about the human body as a massive collection of microorganisms rather than one united intelligent entity. The Gaia theory already attributes primitive intelligence to the global network of microorganisms, surely once the Internet of Things and synthetic life connects via IPv7 or 8 then we might see some fireworks and wake up with a collective intelligence?

]]> By: Daniel http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25907 Daniel Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:25:52 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25907 You forgot to add 'Gaia' to the list, as well as 'human'. The discussion has been more about the possibility of a conscious intelligence arising from the increasingly complex interaction of humans, computers, sensory devices and analysis programs all connected via the internet, much in the same manner as human consciousness arises from the complex interactions of the various parts of the brain. Gaia theory compares the totality of Earth's life to a single organism and the interaction of this life with systems that maintain the constancy of such factors as the salinity of the ocean or the percentage of CO2 in the atmosphere with how a multi-cellular organism has systems that maintain conditions in body (like temperature) within certain conditions. The connection between the two ideas is the theory that just as humans evolved intelligence, perhaps the greater bio-entity that is the totality of life on Earth can evolve as well and become intelligent. Should intelligence emerge from the complexity that is the internet, and as the internet is global in scope, the internet could provide the substrate for the 'Gaia' mind. All of the discussion is related to the article that muses on how the Singularity might come about and Vinge's ideas of a 'digital Gaia'. You forgot to add ‘Gaia’ to the list, as well as ‘human’. The discussion has been more about the possibility of a conscious intelligence arising from the increasingly complex interaction of humans, computers, sensory devices and analysis programs all connected via the internet, much in the same manner as human consciousness arises from the complex interactions of the various parts of the brain.

Gaia theory compares the totality of Earth’s life to a single organism and the interaction of this life with systems that maintain the constancy of such factors as the salinity of the ocean or the percentage of CO2 in the atmosphere with how a multi-cellular organism has systems that maintain conditions in body (like temperature) within certain conditions.

The connection between the two ideas is the theory that just as humans evolved intelligence, perhaps the greater bio-entity that is the totality of life on Earth can evolve as well and become intelligent. Should intelligence emerge from the complexity that is the internet, and as the internet is global in scope, the internet could provide the substrate for the ‘Gaia’ mind.

All of the discussion is related to the article that muses on how the Singularity might come about and Vinge’s ideas of a ‘digital Gaia’.

]]> By: GatorALLin http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25902 GatorALLin Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:21:00 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25902 ....reply to Mortran...... I am seeing a lot more open complaints about some parts of organized religion and wondering if these are starting to make a dent, or make changes. At least it seems like a change in perception or a ground swell of ideas to push for change. This for example http://theoatmeal.com/comics/religion (in the past the sharing of good ideas either took too long, or was not better organized). ….reply to Mortran…… I am seeing a lot more open complaints about some parts of organized religion and wondering if these are starting to make a dent, or make changes. At least it seems like a change in perception or a ground swell of ideas to push for change. This for example http://theoatmeal.com/comics/religion (in the past the sharing of good ideas either took too long, or was not better organized).

]]> By: Schmaia http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25900 Schmaia Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:11:33 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25900 Sheeh, people! Are you on the Internet? From what you speak about seems like you're on some kind of the dark age version of it, full of willful ignorance. Here's an exercise: Learn what - a computer - a network is. Inevitable outcome: No more Gaia nonsense for you. Sheeh, people! Are you on the Internet? From what you speak about seems like you’re on some kind of the dark age version of it, full of willful ignorance.

Here’s an exercise:

Learn what
- a computer
- a network
is.

Inevitable outcome:
No more Gaia nonsense for you.

]]> By: Daniel http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25899 Daniel Wed, 25 Jul 2012 13:05:24 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25899 If the design of the computer intelligence emulates that of a biological brain, it will have some equivalent of neuro transmitters, or endorphins that will activate in response to some stimulus. If the brain is programmed to experience 'pleasure' on when the endorphin system is activated, and a sensory system for 'smell' and 'taste' is hooked into the system to provide the stimulus, yes, the brain can indeed enjoy the taste of a strawberry. It can also be made to digest the strawberry and process the sugars for energy. With advanced technology, a machine can be made to 'experience' the world in a similar manner as a human. If the design of the computer intelligence emulates that of a biological brain, it will have some equivalent of neuro transmitters, or endorphins that will activate in response to some stimulus. If the brain is programmed to experience ‘pleasure’ on when the endorphin system is activated, and a sensory system for ‘smell’ and ‘taste’ is hooked into the system to provide the stimulus, yes, the brain can indeed enjoy the taste of a strawberry. It can also be made to digest the strawberry and process the sugars for energy. With advanced technology, a machine can be made to ‘experience’ the world in a similar manner as a human.

]]> By: Editor http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25893 Editor Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:57:17 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25893 Or, perhaps superhuman intelligence (not just "computer," at least in the Kurzweilian definition) will discover flavors that are far more delicious, and the old categories (computer, biology) will seem irrelevant (and funny). What do you think? Or, perhaps superhuman intelligence (not just “computer,” at least in the Kurzweilian definition) will discover flavors that are far more delicious, and the old categories (computer, biology) will seem irrelevant (and funny). What do you think?

]]> By: rob falgiano http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25892 rob falgiano Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:03:50 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25892 Don't ask me why, but today I'm preoccupied with how a superhuman computer intelligence may never know firsthand just how good a strawberry or ice cream tastes, as it will have no need to eat for survival. I wonder if it will long for this biological experience like Data. Or whether it will be irrelevant to its evolution. In other words, we may come to see that neither a fully biological or fully inorganic experience is wholly satisfying, but simply different. Don't lose sight of the wonders of being biological as we approach a post-human age. Don’t ask me why, but today I’m preoccupied with how a superhuman computer intelligence may never know firsthand just how good a strawberry or ice cream tastes, as it will have no need to eat for survival. I wonder if it will long for this biological experience like Data. Or whether it will be irrelevant to its evolution. In other words, we may come to see that neither a fully biological or fully inorganic experience is wholly satisfying, but simply different. Don’t lose sight of the wonders of being biological as we approach a post-human age.

]]> By: Sno http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25866 Sno Tue, 24 Jul 2012 23:49:55 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25866 You have good points, to be honest i could very well see the humanity becoming a hive mind, but still... I mean sure, in some ways, society as a whole has similarities with a living organism, but if we're talking about something new akin to a digital gaia, i think you'd need big changes such that individual free will is removed, the same way that ants and cells in your body live. Or, maybe, it would need to be engineered as a sort of megaproject, or it might never reach any superior state of consciousness & awareness (awaken). You have good points, to be honest i could very well see the humanity becoming a hive mind, but still…
I mean sure, in some ways, society as a whole has similarities with a living organism, but if we’re talking about something new akin to a digital gaia, i think you’d need big changes such that individual free will is removed, the same way that ants and cells in your body live. Or, maybe, it would need to be engineered as a sort of megaproject, or it might never reach any superior state of consciousness & awareness (awaken).

]]> By: gaoptimize http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25852 gaoptimize Tue, 24 Jul 2012 19:07:46 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25852 Not offended, just amused. Looking at people sans clothes? Really? Just saw (apropos) "Minority Report" on TBS over the weekend. Face or retinal recognition (perhaps of concern to middle eastern refugees for a variety of reasons) yes, video recording concerns over privacy yes, but concerns about a gray-scale nudity? Nope, sorry, doesn't pass the reasonableness test. Not offended, just amused. Looking at people sans clothes? Really? Just saw (apropos) “Minority Report” on TBS over the weekend. Face or retinal recognition (perhaps of concern to middle eastern refugees for a variety of reasons) yes, video recording concerns over privacy yes, but concerns about a gray-scale nudity? Nope, sorry, doesn’t pass the reasonableness test.

]]> By: JFH http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25847 JFH Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:35:06 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25847 An emergent consciousnesses does not require the constituent parts or the resulting conscience to be aware of each other. Do you feel your neurons firing? Is a single neuron conscious?There are other precedents in nature for this. Slime molds are most certainly alive but are they conscious? Taken as a whole I would argue they exhibit a certain order of intelligence. Also Insect colonies exhibit an emergent hive mind. I have a feeling as the singularity approaches there will be more unexplained large scale social upheaval like the Arab Spring. I think we may pass into the singularity without even knowing it has happened in contrast to the big bang style theories. It is certainly conceivable that the combination of billions of human minds interacting, communicating and sharing data via the global net is already a nascent form of super-human intellect. Socially we are instantaneously aware of things happening on the other side of the world. Intellectually, the sum total of all human knowledge is available at the click of a mouse and new knowledge instantly informs ongoing research across all topics. Compare this to any other time in human history and the difference is clear. The internet is changing humanity in fundamental ways. An emergent consciousnesses does not require the constituent parts or the resulting conscience to be aware of each other. Do you feel your neurons firing? Is a single neuron conscious?There are other precedents in nature for this. Slime molds are most certainly alive but are they conscious? Taken as a whole I would argue they exhibit a certain order of intelligence. Also Insect colonies exhibit an emergent hive mind. I have a feeling as the singularity approaches there will be more unexplained large scale social upheaval like the Arab Spring. I think we may pass into the singularity without even knowing it has happened in contrast to the big bang style theories. It is certainly conceivable that the combination of billions of human minds interacting, communicating and sharing data via the global net is already a nascent form of super-human intellect. Socially we are instantaneously aware of things happening on the other side of the world. Intellectually, the sum total of all human knowledge is available at the click of a mouse and new knowledge instantly informs ongoing research across all topics. Compare this to any other time in human history and the difference is clear. The internet is changing humanity in fundamental ways.

]]> By: Mortran http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25844 Mortran Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:13:15 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25844 There is definitely a "united will" of humanity. Let me give an easy example: The united will of mankind is against racism. There may still be people out there who support racism, but their number is low. No government, no person who stands in the public, no celebrity can dare to oppose this united will. Other examples are the opposition to torture, the will to maintain current national borders, the rejection of pedophilia. These are all issues where we have almost a consensus among humanity. There is definitely a “united will” of humanity.
Let me give an easy example: The united will of mankind is against racism.
There may still be people out there who support racism, but their number is low. No government, no person who stands in the public, no celebrity can dare to oppose this united will.
Other examples are the opposition to torture, the will to maintain current national borders, the rejection of pedophilia. These are all issues where we have almost a consensus among humanity.

]]> By: egore http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25842 egore Tue, 24 Jul 2012 17:59:00 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25842 It seems to me most of this information given us at the present, is to get us used to being controlled by machines of one sort or another. By the way, a thought entered my mind about the situation with McDonalds and the glasses. While there is no excusing violence to reach an end, I can see where the people at McDonalds may have thought the eyeglasses were for looking at people sans clothes. Ignorance is still preferable to violence. I hope I do not upset too many people with this comment. I certainly would never condone the action these people did. It seems to me most of this information given us at the present, is to get us used to being controlled by machines of one sort or another. By the way, a thought entered my mind about the situation with McDonalds and the glasses. While there is no excusing violence to reach an end, I can see where the people at McDonalds may have thought the eyeglasses were for looking at people sans clothes. Ignorance is still preferable to violence. I hope I do not upset too many people with this comment. I certainly would never condone the action these people did.

]]> By: gaoptimize http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25831 gaoptimize Tue, 24 Jul 2012 17:17:14 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25831 Saying when the Singularity has occured, based on some subjective judgement of intelligence is an academic exercise. There are universally accepted objectives of technological advance that should be the benchmark: 1) Methuselarity - More that 1 year of median lifespan being added per year. (At that point, most can afford to wait a few more years while the debate about the official date of the Singularity is conducted). 2) Energy availability exceeds growth in (average business cycle) demand while declining as a percent of GDP. 3) Human language-interactive, development environment independent, software development aids and agents. 4) A software human brain simulation. Finally, 5) Mind uploading Saying when the Singularity has occured, based on some subjective judgement of intelligence is an academic exercise. There are universally accepted objectives of technological advance that should be the benchmark:
1) Methuselarity – More that 1 year of median lifespan being added per year. (At that point, most can afford to wait a few more years while the debate about the official date of the Singularity is conducted).
2) Energy availability exceeds growth in (average business cycle) demand while declining as a percent of GDP.
3) Human language-interactive, development environment independent, software development aids and agents.
4) A software human brain simulation.
Finally,
5) Mind uploading

]]> By: Bri http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25825 Bri Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:40:20 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25825 The Internet is the precursor to a true nervous system for Gaia. It's just waking up. Before this it was more like a slime mold. The Internet is the precursor to a true nervous system for Gaia. It’s just waking up. Before this it was more like a slime mold.

]]> By: Beatriz Valdes http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25821 Beatriz Valdes Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:17:41 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25821 I appreciate your thoughtful comments, and think it is a pretty good approximation to what the future portents. I appreciate your thoughtful comments, and think it is a pretty good approximation to what the future portents.

]]> By: John Morgenthaler http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25812 John Morgenthaler Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:34:31 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25812 Sno, You argue that there is no Gaia since "there is no united will". However, I respectfully suggest you reconsider that because a united will is not a criteria we apply to a bacteria or multicellular organism to determine if it is a living thing or not. To say if something has a united will is to presume knowledge of the subjective experience of the other entity, which will always be unknowable. The idea of Gaia merely means that it is a self-regulating system, something that is now widely accepted. Sno, You argue that there is no Gaia since “there is no united will”. However, I respectfully suggest you reconsider that because a united will is not a criteria we apply to a bacteria or multicellular organism to determine if it is a living thing or not. To say if something has a united will is to presume knowledge of the subjective experience of the other entity, which will always be unknowable. The idea of Gaia merely means that it is a self-regulating system, something that is now widely accepted.

]]> By: Jon http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25810 Jon Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:23:22 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25810 @Sno I have another take on your comment. If there were a global conciousness, in the way Kurzweil describes, where one is both separate, yet linked to a shared 'over-mind', think of what that could do. How in an argument, one's frustrations would be felt and understood by the other side, and how one could feel the anxiety, joy, or suffering of large regions, or humanity as a whole. The species would be more like an organism, and every human being as a cell; reacting to stimuli from the whole. By choice, obviously. Because you'd simultaneously be an individual, and you'd only share what you'd want to (in Kurzweils vision, at least). This would likely require nanobots in the brain, and an internet(esque) link-up, but all that will probably happen far sooner than most people think. @Sno

I have another take on your comment.

If there were a global conciousness, in the way Kurzweil describes, where one is both separate, yet linked to a shared ‘over-mind’, think of what that could do.
How in an argument, one’s frustrations would be felt and understood by the other side, and how one could feel the anxiety, joy, or suffering of large regions, or humanity as a whole. The species would be more like an organism, and every human being as a cell; reacting to stimuli from the whole.

By choice, obviously. Because you’d simultaneously be an individual, and you’d only share what you’d want to (in Kurzweils vision, at least).

This would likely require nanobots in the brain, and an internet(esque) link-up, but all that will probably happen far sooner than most people think.

]]> By: Jared http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25805 Jared Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:49:19 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25805 Yes. I do not think this would occur either. But if it did, can you imagine the ramifications on our view of spirituality? Yes. I do not think this would occur either. But if it did, can you imagine the ramifications on our view of spirituality?

]]> By: Daniel http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25804 Daniel Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:47:35 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25804 I don't believe in a 'united will'. :-) It can be argued that the human mind itself is made up of interacting sets of neurons, modules that control different parts of the body and process different sets of information. Thus, these modules each have a different 'purpose'. Consciousness cannot be traced to a single one of these modules, it seems to be an 'emergent' property of the interactions of these modules. It is from this observation, and the similarities of the internet to the neural network of the human brain that the prediction of an emergent 'Gaia' consciousness may arise. When enough people act as one (examples: a nation state, or a 'mob'), these groups can be likened to a single 'organism'. If we connect millions of people together with instant access to communications and information, these groups could easily begin to act as if they have a single will. They say that the Arab Spring happened because of social media. Perhaps this is an example of what a primitive 'Gaia' mind will be like. Perhaps there will never be a single 'Gaia' to emerge from the internet, but many. Perhaps they will be fleeting and tempory - formed to solve a crisis or in response to some other stimulus - and will act with a purpose, then disappear. There will be those who say that no, these are just people doing what people have always done so it is nothing new, but if these groups can only arise and act together without the new technology who is to say that they are not something new? I don’t believe in a ‘united will’. :-)

It can be argued that the human mind itself is made up of interacting sets of neurons, modules that control different parts of the body and process different sets of information. Thus, these modules each have a different ‘purpose’. Consciousness cannot be traced to a single one of these modules, it seems to be an ‘emergent’ property of the interactions of these modules. It is from this observation, and the similarities of the internet to the neural network of the human brain that the prediction of an emergent ‘Gaia’ consciousness may arise.

When enough people act as one (examples: a nation state, or a ‘mob’), these groups can be likened to a single ‘organism’. If we connect millions of people together with instant access to communications and information, these groups could easily begin to act as if they have a single will. They say that the Arab Spring happened because of social media. Perhaps this is an example of what a primitive ‘Gaia’ mind will be like. Perhaps there will never be a single ‘Gaia’ to emerge from the internet, but many. Perhaps they will be fleeting and tempory – formed to solve a crisis or in response to some other stimulus – and will act with a purpose, then disappear. There will be those who say that no, these are just people doing what people have always done so it is nothing new, but if these groups can only arise and act together without the new technology who is to say that they are not something new?

]]> By: Sno http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25791 Sno Tue, 24 Jul 2012 13:45:08 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25791 I don't believe in the whole "Gaia" thing, because even though life on earth is a tightly interconnected ecosystem, there is no united will. In the same sense, there is no united will in the network, nor in human society for that matter. Sure, internet is bringing everything closer, but we're still far away from a single entity emerging. In fact you could argue that it could only happen if there was no free will. I don’t believe in the whole “Gaia” thing, because even though life on earth is a tightly interconnected ecosystem, there is no united will. In the same sense, there is no united will in the network, nor in human society for that matter. Sure, internet is bringing everything closer, but we’re still far away from a single entity emerging. In fact you could argue that it could only happen if there was no free will.

]]> By: Daniel http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25789 Daniel Tue, 24 Jul 2012 13:20:25 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25789 GAIA huh? ...The first headline that caught my eye here was about wikileaks being used to predict violence in Afghanistan. Now this article about humans interfacing with networks and the coming singularity. The tie in is this - what if the wikileaks thing is an example of a budding immune system? The global organism is evolving defenses that will protect the totality against threats. Is this a good thing? The threat it (we) are protecting against are actual people - what other groups will this emerging GAIA entity need to protect itself against? What other defenses will it deploy? Damn, usually I'm more optimistic about the singularity and global consciousness, need to finish my first coffee. GAIA huh? …The first headline that caught my eye here was about wikileaks being used to predict violence in Afghanistan. Now this article about humans interfacing with networks and the coming singularity. The tie in is this – what if the wikileaks thing is an example of a budding immune system? The global organism is evolving defenses that will protect the totality against threats. Is this a good thing? The threat it (we) are protecting against are actual people – what other groups will this emerging GAIA entity need to protect itself against? What other defenses will it deploy? Damn, usually I’m more optimistic about the singularity and global consciousness, need to finish my first coffee.

]]> By: Richard http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25787 Richard Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:31:09 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25787 Fluency in the 21st century leading up to whenever the Singularity happens is about achieving the right balance between humans and automation. We need to figure out how to teach that fluency. Those who achieve a comfortable fluency with the digital tools remaking the world will increasingly begin to appear superhuman to those without that fluency Fluency in the 21st century leading up to whenever the Singularity happens is about achieving the right balance between humans and automation. We need to figure out how to teach that fluency. Those who achieve a comfortable fluency with the digital tools remaking the world will increasingly begin to appear superhuman to those without that fluency

]]> By: Bri http://www.kurzweilai.net/the-singularity-and-schools-an-interview-with-vernor-vinge/comment-page-1#comment-25785 Bri Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:22:46 +0000 http://www.kurzweilai.net/?p=156661#comment-25785 Animism, Gaia, yup that's it. It's all alive. A big interdependent web. Kinda New Age, Don't you think? Animism, Gaia, yup that’s it. It’s all alive. A big interdependent web. Kinda New Age, Don’t you think?

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