Comments on: Stories We Tell https://lifeboat.com/blog/2011/01/stories-we-tell Safeguarding Humanity Mon, 05 Jun 2017 03:30:57 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 By: Zachary Urbina https://lifeboat.com/blog/2011/01/stories-we-tell#comment-78658 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:54:32 +0000 http://lifeboat.com/blog/?p=1442#comment-78658 You and I have a great deal in common, belief-wise. Although my point here was to objectively look at narrative construction, subjectively speaking religion and technology are growing further apart, and with good reason. Intelligence demands it.

Also, “rapture of the nerds” is derogatory? Allow me to be one of the first to say, please, sign me up. (:

]]> By: Mark Bruce https://lifeboat.com/blog/2011/01/stories-we-tell#comment-78644 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 09:52:17 +0000 http://lifeboat.com/blog/?p=1442#comment-78644 I couldn’t agree more that we all seem to need a setting or story within which to frame our experiences, for at its core the composition of each individual “self” appears to be little more than an evolving narrative — similar to that espoused by Daniel Dennett and others. It’ll probably come as no surprise that I am an optimistic technophile and non-believer (in a religious sense) when I say that I largely agree that humans — as we know them today — cannot help but be marginalised to some extent when sharing the planet with an entity much more intelligent than themselves. Such marginalisation need not be detrimental and indeed may be wonderfully beneficial if the inception of such an entity is managed in a responsible manner. However, in so saying we should also recognise the distinct possibility that some (perhaps most?) humans may get “taken along for the ride” and so reach an enhanced state that largely avoids such marginalisation.

Of course I can appreciate some broad similarities in the finality of themes present between Singulatarianism and various religions. Indeed some commentators have argued that “faith” is strongly apparent in both narratives. From a personal point of view I would disagree with this assessment, although to what extent my personal biases drive this disagreement as a result of the perceived negative connotations associated with the word “faith” is perhaps a discussion for another day. For the sake of brevity my view is that religious beliefs are not based on testable, verifiable evidence from physical phenomena and indeed often contradict physical law, and as such are never worth serious consideration let alone adoption into one’s world view. Regarding the Singularity (and various related transhumanist themes) strictly speaking I do not KNOW that it will happen and nor do I believe that it WILL happen; I believe only that it is LIKELY TO happen.

If computing technology, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and brain mapping / emulation technology continues to develop as it has been and advances along projected developmental road maps into the future, THEN it appears likely that a greater-than-human artificial-intelligence will be developed this century. Based on my own daily consumption of a multitude of scientific / technology developments, and also on the opinions of those I deem knowledgeable and trustworthy I believe this IS likely. Those who state that they KNOW, that it WILL, what it will be LIKE (without offering various provisions and grace in the face of opposition) should not be too surprised if they attract derogatory labels like “rapture of the nerds”.

For me the concept of the Singularity represents the ultimate beginning, one that allows us true open-ended freedom for the first time and brings an end only to the conventional limitations of time, space, and energy that we have struggled under for millennia. Finally, the chaotic convergence of both related and disparate technological domains almost guarantees us a multitude of shades of grey to look forward to, and while no one knows how we will navigate this uncertain period in history, I certainly feel privileged to have the opportunity to ride it out with all of you.

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