Slouching Toward The Singularity. The discussion thread

[Maximus One]

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2048138,00.html

I've read up on alot of theories regarding a seemingly impending technological singularity (intelligence explosion) and to those unfamiliar with the subject it basically is the theory that at some point in the near (maybe distant) future computers will reach near-human levels of intelligence, and after they surpass us in intellectual capacity and become super-human intelligences there will be an intelligence explosion or technological singularity. What happens after that is a matter of debate, but I just thought this would be an excellent and intriguing topic of discussion on what this will mean for humanity and our society and civilization as we know it. So, discuss!

 

[Manic]

[Insert Matrix/Terminator/Asimovian joke here]


There. Now that's out of the way.

 

[Maximus One]

Damn, so no other nerds around here have an opinion on this at all? I think it's basically an imminent event and I consider myself a follower of Singularitarianism

 

[The Squirrel]

The world is going to self destruct at some point. It's anyone's guess as to what will be the cause.

 

[Maximus One]

I'm not talking about self destruction. This isn't about no archetypal man vs technology ********, although it could end up like that. This is more about man and machine merging and the ramifications of it. I like to think that if man and machine ever do merge it will let us transcend our meat suits and exalt humanity as a whole into virtual god-hood

 

[Maximus One]

That is of course if computers are even capable of becoming truly intelligent and sentient. There is some debate as to if it is even possible for silicon and circuitry to even be able to replicate sentience, that there is something inherent in our brains that can't exist in any other form.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

I made a thread like this last week. Unfortunately no one cares even though it's probably the biggest event humans face in the next 35 years.

The intelligence explosion has endless possibilities. It's definitely worthy of discussion.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

That is of course if computers are even capable of becoming truly intelligent and sentient. There is some debate as to if it is even possible for silicon and circuitry to even be able to replicate sentience, that there is something inherent in our brains that can't exist in any other form.

The human brain is basically a machine so I'm pretty sure once we understand it fully we can replicate it's functions synthetically.

 

[SuperFerret]

Looks like I've got to start learning about computers. Know thy enemy and all that.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Everyone assumes intelligent machines will be evil but I think they'll more likely be indifferent to humanity. They won't hate us any more than we hate moss on a stone.

They won't be hateful towards humanity unless we program them that way.

 

[SuperFerret]

I'm not saying they'd be evil.

I'm saying that I'd make myself an enemy of theirs.

 

[Abaddon]

It will be like having a bunch of autistic running around, but they will be less socially adjustable.

 

[Maximus One]

LMMFAO@ Abaddon haha damn, good one.

 

[redhawk23]

I don't believe Singularity will occur anytime soon unless we find new ways of storing computer memory, silicone has reached its limits, moores law cannot be maintained unless we find a more resiliant material. It seems to me that we have to have a material that make new connections with its self and grow to be more complex and develop in a certain way rather than having it be completly preengineered and prorgrammed.

 

[Danalys]

there's either optical, quantum or DNA computers to look forward to beyond silicon.

what you really want are robots just smart enough to do all the essential manual labour. then we can have a hobbieist society.

 

[Manic]

what you really want are robots just smart enough to do all the essential manual labour. then we can have a hobbieist society.

On my planet, all of the working class losing their manual labor jobs to machines are called "unemployed" and soon probably "homeless" rather than "hobbiests." It'd create a society full of beggars living under the heel of a rich upper class.

 

[Danalys]

when it costs nothing to provide for them why risk revolution.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

there's either optical, quantum or DNA computers to look forward to beyond silicon.

what you really want are robots just smart enough to do all the essential manual labour. then we can have a hobbieist society.

Yeah I was thinking about that. Would the economy stll work if machines did all the work.

If every person was assigned a worker robot to do jobs would money be worth anything?

 

[Danalys]

land and rarities would still be worth something, so money could be useful for trading those and between those. design could still be worth something.

 

[SuperFerret]

On my planet, all of the working class losing their manual labor jobs to machines are called "unemployed" and soon probably "homeless" rather than "hobbiests." It'd create a society full of beggars living under the heel of a rich upper class.

And thus, I shall raise an army.

 

[Mike_D202]

When computers can start kicking other computers in the nuts and post it on youtube, THEN I'll start to worry if computers are on par with human intelligence.

 

[Maximus One]

Sitting here watching Transcendent Man, damn good documentary about the singularity and Ray Kurzweil