Technological singularity
In future studies, a technological singularity (also referred to as just the Singularity) is a predicted future event when technological progress and societal change accelerate due to the advent of superhuman intelligence, changing our environment beyond the ability of pre-Singularity humans to comprehend or reliably predict. This event is named by analogy with the breakdown of modern physics knowledge near the gravitational singularity of a black hole.
Related Topics:
Future studies - Predicted - Technological progress - Societal change - Intelligence - Physics - Gravitational singularity - Black hole
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Such consequences were discussed in the 1960s by I. J. Good, though the first use of the term singularity to describe technological progress was by John von Neumann in the 1950s. The concept of the Singularity was brought to a much wider audience in the 1980s by Vernor Vinge. It is disputed when or if the Singularity will occur, but futurists most commonly estimate the third decade of the 21st century.
Related Topics:
1960s - I. J. Good - John von Neumann - 1950s - 1980s - Vernor Vinge - 21st century
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Others, most notably Raymond Kurzweil, have proposed theories expanding Moore's law into types of computation beyond normal transistors, suggesting an exponential pattern of technological progress persisting throughout human history and even before the beginning of life on Earth. This pattern, he predicts, culminates in extreme technological progress in the 21st century, leading the replacement of biological life by more advanced forms of intelligence.
Related Topics:
Raymond Kurzweil - Moore's law - Human history - Life - Earth - 21st century
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Latest news on technological singularity
Vernor Vinge, the Singularity and Free Software
If you're in San Diego, California, we heard about a really interesting event you'll want to attend. Two topics that are always of interest to robot builders are the Singularity and Free Software. The Free Software Foundation is holding a pizza party and Vernor Vinge, the originator of the modern version of the Technological Singularity idea, will be there. The event will be from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, on Tuesday, November 11 at the Best Western, 411 Hotel Circle S, San Diego. And since this is California, they'll even have vegan Pizza available. This event is for FSF members but you're already a member right? If not, it's easy to join the FSF and your money will go to support the development of great software like gcc that you probably use everday. So go if you can, have some fun, and throw in a good word about robots.net.
New online magazine edited by R.U. Sirius
Our friend R.U. Sirius is editing a new magazine called h+ and the first issue is available as a free PDF. Humanity Plus (formerly the World Transhumanist Association) ? in collaboration with former Mondo 2000 editor RU Sirius -- is pleased to present h+. A web-based quarterly magazine, h+ covers the scientific, technological, and cultural developments that are challenging and overcoming human limitations. ?Recently, there has been a growing and evolving public discourse about new technological trends and possibilities. Scientists and edge thinkers are talking about? and working on -- slowing or ending aging; body and brain enhancement; biological control of the genome and the evolutionary process; and the possibility of a technological singularity brought on by AI? to name just a few of the interests and obsessions of this new edge tech culture. h+ magazine is all over it. Beautifully designed by virtual worlds artistic legend D.C. Spensley (AKA DanCoyote in Second Life), h+ is accessible, stylish, contemporary, and sometimes playful. h+ aims to provides an entry point for intelligent people to develop an awareness of this new technological paradigm, while also providing an outlet and a voice for those who are already hooked in to the "transhumanist" vision. Featuring interviews with science fiction author Charlie Stross and anti-aging legend Aubrey de Grey, issue #1 of h+ magazine is now at hplusmagazine.com Editor R.U. Sirius promises to continue editing the periodical for "approximately 300 years." h+ magazine...
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