Sun 18 Feb 2007
The Singularity by Vernor Vinge
Posted by Administrator under Ideas from the edge
In 1993, Vernor Vinge published a controversial paper that heralded a new and radical theory - ‘The Singularity’. The premise is that technological progress is accelerating so fast that eventually, this progress will result in machines with intelligence equal to humans. When these machines then create intelligence beyond their own, the human era, as we know it, will be altogether different.
‘The Singularity’ theory has divided audiences and readers ever since its presentation. If it sounds a little like the ‘Matrix’, that’s because it is. At a deeper level and, the most likely reason why this idea has currency and continues to fuel debate, is that it highlights the increasing role and dependency humans place upon technology.
If you’re after something to stretch your thinking, it’s worth a look - http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~phoenix/vinge/vinge-sing.html
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