TEDxVancouver - Neill Blomkamp - 11/21/09

[divineagent]

This guy is cool

[gd01skorpius]

I think we need to figure out either how to be happy without our toys, or find some way to reconcile the fact that all our toys are dependent on slave labour. Because if we don't, the people who make our toys will kill us all.

[AyoForYayo1990]

@gd01skorpius Until that one toy decides to upgrade itself and make a better toy that no one could possibly fathom. Which in turn makes slave labor no longer a requirement.

[gridviperwaves]

this guys vision sounds like hell on Earth. The highest form of technology IS NO TECHNOLOGY

[Andrew824100]

district 9 is my fave, can't wait for Elysium

[Evilstuff]

I predict Elysium will be about the transition period to Type 1 civilization, very violent...

[syferislv]

@AungUnElric You never know when humans would actually create artificial pandoras.

[dekoomers]

Whoa... if only i can answer all my questions in such detail

[asjenmenou]

Raymond Kurzweil is a sociopathic anti humanist, who's afraid of dying. There is no place for humanity in his vision. Neil Blomkamp is clearly in this camp with making his one world government propaganda. People all around the world are waking up to this anti human agenda. We have to realize that we came from mother earth and we shall return to her. We've been manipulated, enslaved and used by these kind of psychopathic vampires for long enough. No need to become gods. We are! Let humanity reign

[beethovensworld]

@asjenmenou Hi asjenmenou, hope you're well. I think wee should be free to move and interact with one-another without the boundaries of national, cultural, religious and racial segregation. They have manifested throughout human history as a result of ignorance, superstition and lack of understanding that we are the same. Or as you said, we all came from mother earth.

No nations, no borders, free education for all (the internet), and one open world. A world without fear where humanity is free.

[Scienceorc]

@asjenmenou You do not understand. Humanity is destroying it's own planet and its own species. The necessary thing to do is to realize this, and change our civilization, and grow. Unfortunately, we might die before we reach this phase, or we might not. it is dependent on what we start doing now. That is what Neill is trying to say.

[hmspinaforethisisspa]

@asjenmenou Lol, that's right - sit there caressing your pathetic new-age bullshit. You will die, we will continue. Forever improving through the power of science.

[xGr8JU5T1CE]

I don't know about you guys but, even though I LOVE science fiction and talk like this can be quite interesting and even entertaining at times. But it seems to be that when people being to think about things of this nature, we tend to lose sight of our humanity. We forget that the reason for the technological advancement is NOT to create a singularity, which would be a living nightmare for individualistic beings like us, the advancements purpose was making life easier and better for all.

[AungUnElric]

Neil Blomkamp is a true visonary and I LOVED District 9 but I've gotta say, if the destiny of Earth and human civilzation is to become a ball of interconnected concreate, silicone and nano-technology, I'd be prepared to move to Pandora...just saying...

[AreWeData]

I don't think we'll make it.

[Mr11MUSICMAN]

Make a new fucking movie already.

[TetraVaalBioSecurity]

@Mr11MUSICMAN His new film is currently in pre-production, it starts shooting later this month. It's called 'Elysium.'

[Mr11MUSICMAN]

@TetraVaalBioSecurity I know but it's coming in 2013, isn't it?

[TetraVaalBioSecurity]

@Mr11MUSICMAN Yep. March 1st, 2013.

[Mr11MUSICMAN]

@TetraVaalBioSecurity Fuck :(

[TetraVaalBioSecurity]

@Mr11MUSICMAN It will be worth the wait, hopefully. Just the fact that Syd Mead is doing production design has me waiting in anticipation.

[amphibian200]

Dude needs to stop being so allegorical. Aliens don't have to behave as we do or live off of the same organic or inorganic compounds.

[xpez]

HARNESS ALL OF THE ENERGY IN A GALAXY???? WTF THERE IS NO WAY TO DO THAT UNLESS YOU ARE A FUCKING BLACK HOLE x 10000000000000000000

THIS IS SO STUPID!!!

[BrideofDracula]

Wow, Neill Blomkamp is so smart. Good looking AND smart it doesn't get any better than that!

[depro9]

"The natural condition of nations is a state of perpetual war of all against all, where no morality exists, and everyone lives in constant fear,"

[xpez]

Until we can travel faster than the speed of light we will never leave this planet to go another.

[xpez]

 jetpress.org/v20/steinhart.htm

[xpez]

This has already been discussed by a famous philospher Teilhard De Chardin.

These ideas have been around for about 80 years

[yarloo]

@xpez He doesn`t mention quantum computers. At all. It bugs me.

[xpez]

@yarloo Yeah, this is some fan boy for topical pop science that he threw together to be on TED.

This person doesnt really know anything about those subjects! Just what he was told by a few famous scientists.

Typical for rich hollywood people...throw some smart people together grasp what they have to say then

RE-present it at TED.

Since everyone likes his movies then they are OK with his second hand information...

WE KNOW WHO IS FULL OF IT!!!

[yarloo]

@xpez If you know a LITTLE about what quantum computers are (will be) This whole speech seems pretty redundant. I liked district nine though, so he`s probably a good entertainer. If i saw this in the 90` i`d probably swallow this with bait and siker;--but the fact that quantum computing will come around In about 60-80 years (yeah it`s far off) makes the whole "we need endless mass for the computer chips in order to expand" Issue dissapear. the possibilities are literally endless. Organic.

[mistermordancy]

@yarloo

You cannot speculate on a technology that is more than 10 years away with anything close to accuracy. From what i know of quantum computing technology, the technological limitations we have now are huge hurdles that may take decades to overcome.

[yarloo]

@mistermordancy I agree. I looked into it recently, and they`re having problems storing the quarks after they have passed thru the nano circuit. The only advance recently is that they can make the circuits tracks out of normal metal and not magnetic (that is a lot more expensive). A long way to go. My granfather could not dream up what the internet would be like when he was young--so i can`t figure this out either since it`s--as you said yourself--decades away. but wE is lieK dreAm about it

[xpez]

THIS IS BULLSHIT!!!!

[binhleau]

i like this guy

[Ryuuken24]

Humans being seems more like a virus, only set to destroy and corrupt other life forms, or planets, only taking and not putting out anything useful as a whole, and it existence only declines as it goes further and further. If this is the future, then I don't wanna be a part of it.

[mustrapefoley]

damn. i didn't not listen once.

[l33tpwnzord]

Yawn... talk about filmmaking not the old boring "there's life on other planets mkay" thing

[Cybernerd9000]

Fortunately for us, John Connor will stop the singularity from taking over our destiny.

[2505994]

he is so smart

go home michael bay

[866152]

@2505994 they are two of my favorite directors

[IbeJigsaw]

@2505994 if you think that reading off of some prepared documents indicates intelligence, then i seriously question yours. (not to say blomkamp isn't smart, but your comment was plain idiotic)

[2505994]

@IbeJigsaw well, you don't have to be genius to see that someone is smart, if you want i see that from his movies but also the way he presented this and his interest in this subject is telling a lot...for those who know to appreciate it

[Evilstuff]

I think this video contains clues to Neil's next film, Elysium

Bad ass....

[MartyMoves]

If you read the bottom four comments, they don't make a lick of sense. They try to start out on a point, then ramble away about random crap. That's excusing the terrible grammar also. Some people should be silenced eternally, for its these types of people who think what they're saying makes sense, because they'll buy whatever you're selling, so long as they think that they make sense (of it).

[jess3a3]

Neill Blomkamp Makes WORTHLESS FILMS

[Scotopik]

Awesome, and I completely agree.

[WoodsUlmann]

Kurzweill's scenarios are highly suspect... he has a great imagination, but when you apply logic and reason, it gets in the way. I'm no expert, but this idea of turning all matter into thinking matter... for what? To think on what? Unless it requires massive amounts of matter to contain the intelligence required to reveal the wizard behind the curtain, what exactly would this intelligence contain? On the other hand, this might be the cycle that creates a God that creates another universe?

[tinctu]

@WoodsUlmann -

"turning all matter into thinking matter... for what? " to be immortal... you will upload mind into quantum computers (smaller than atoms)...

If there is no single atom in universe... if there is no single planet in universe than there is no single universe...When humans was in eden... they was as god... they was immortal but they eaten forbiden fruit and become immortal. But we are mirrors of our creator. And we do technology which reflects our creator.

[tinctu]

Behind our creation is intelligence. Every matter is thinking matter just we as humans, we are still blind to see that. We can not see other civillisations because they respect our territory as animals respects their own territories. Globalism will means technological slow down. You need have competition to make progress.

Transformation from fossil industry to green will be easy as transformation from normal telephone to mobile phone. Just we still use our resources...

[sosooze]

If it happens, then it already happened and the super computers would have figured out time travel and solved the problem of time all together so it doesnt happen and this is a crock of shit. Fucking nerds.

[ITherealMarcomanI]

Most interesting.

[solar793]

Chilling....so we will not survive as humans because this technological singularity suddenly appearing around 2045 will absorb us and every bit of matter on earth as part of a planetary AI...maybe even already exists.

[NickRiviera10]

Awesome man, but If I didn't know he is a movies director I would have tought he was a scientist like an astronomer or something...

[Schwepps25]

I loved this.

[kessone]

this blew my mind.

[xNikaXteeNx]

5:10 is there any way I can get a photo of that?

[simonruane]

Very interesting.

He seems like a very intellegent man.

[KidFiction101]

Extraterrestrial life is much more likely to be robotic than organic. It makes a lot of sense. It would definitely compete for resources and probably need to travel further afield to get them.

[dyikini]

ET phone home

[emcce69]

I think we'll make it

[zenyork]

EVIDENCE = FACT = TRUTH

[TbaginANDBuck]

@zenyork Got to have evidence before it becomes fact.

[zenyork]

@TbaginANDBuck

You're 100% right, too many people claim facts and truth, but have no foundation of evidence; too many politicians lay claim for more legislation, that it will help us, but they have no evidence to back up their justification of said legislation. The federal government should do nothing more than serve, protect and enrich the constitution; for the constitution has more proven evidence that it is nearly flawless than any modern notions of legislative (pseudo)enhancement.

[TbaginANDBuck]

@zenyork I agree with you my friend, 100% of the way. The constitution is basically flawless, it was written by the people, for the people.

[Ryuuken24]

@zenyork Fact is due to evidence, evidence is based on truth.

[zzfour]

There are no facts, only interpretations. -Friedrich Nietzsche @zenyork

[zzfour]

There are no facts, only interpretations. -Friedrich Nietzsche

[zenyork]

Research the great scientist, TESLA; read his literary works. I agree with 'biirdonawire' - our leaders are wasting our time with their undying willingness to put a meter on energy, while energy is everywhere around us! Tesla teaches us how to harness cosmic energy without the need of large energy power plants that place a charge and a meter to every volt you use. This is obviously a negative friction to our human progression. TESLA folks, TESLA.

[machinima]

This is awesome and we love it!! L

[glorp002]

"I want to thank TED X for inviting me participate" Good job.

[biirdonawire]

physical matter only accounts for 4% of the known universe... its been shown the vacuum is not empty, in fact its overflowing with energy. one cubic centimeter of "empty" space is more dense than all the matter in the universe combined.

....and yet we still focus on building massive machines to harness radiation. look inward people. key to the kingdom....

[VirianFlux]

Nice presentation visuals but unfortunately Neill Blomkamp doesn't show understand of Ray Kurzweil's most basic idea, the concept of accelerating change, when he predicts how long it will take to use the earth's and the suns resources better. Then he butchers Ray's ideas to mean something totally different, Ray makes it fairly clear that we will evolve as will AGI technology.

[Kanteinium]

I believe he meant that humans will evolve with it, not AGI exclusively. He says we'll die off along time after we reach type 3.

[VirianFlux]

He says it will take a minimum of about 100 years for type 1, and this shows a big error in his dates:

That's the thing about exponential change:

"If a water lily is growing in a circular pond doubles in size every day it takes 30 days to cover the whole pond how long does it take to cover half a pond?" "29 days...

it will be 50% (or 1/2) of its size on the 29th day...and one day later - double in size to reach full pond cover. "

[VirianFlux]

I should say, I really appreciate the storytelling narrative, I just think the emphasis is very mechanistic and skips over on all the amazing humans will do.

I very much hope he makes more stuff like this but he has to up the quality, it's good but he can do better.

[Kanteinium]

So what would be the correct duration for us to reach type 1?

[VirianFlux]

According to current exponentials we will have enough solar for all our energy needs in 8 doublings, which is about 2,560,000 MW in 2026.

I just made you a spreadsheet with data and quotes from Ray's TED talk but I can't link to it right now because the comments are acting up.

[VirianFlux]

I sent you the link as a private message if you would like to go into depth (and Ray's own, more Scientific TED video)

[ebolart]

A bunch of people talking straight out of their asses commenting on a video by a guy talking out of his ass quoting scientists that talked out of their asses 30 years ago. What a fucking waste of time.

[ModernPlague]

@ebolart

And yet the comments you're complaining about have way more substance and thought behind them then your needless bitching.

[LinkD3]

He makes some great points. And I hope that much of what he says comes to be true. though sadly I dont know if I have as much faith... :/

Sadly the way statistics are looking humanity is literally DE evolving in many ways... we're willingly becoming ignorant and loosing care for these topics other than in stupid video games and movies...

Just my cynical 2 cents. Anyone disagree?

I would love to be wrong here!

[emcce69]

I think we'll make it.

[legoman44]

Optimism for the win!

[oldschoolrulz]

@emcce69 "we" as in how many of us?? thats the question. there will be alot of conflict and resistance to the singularity. honestly, movies like iRobot seem more realisitic as more time goes on and we start to realize humans are pathetic are extremely wasteful

[ModernPlague]

1. Evidence for alien civilizations already exists in the form of UFOs. Extra-terrestrial space-craft simply makes the most sense, when you really look at the history of the subject.

2. I really liked District 9, but Blomkamp gives an awful speech here.  Sounds like he's just reading from some Wikipedia entry he found.

3. World Government isn't necessarily an advance, if the people running the show are evil, greedy, sociopathic bastards.

[blenderpanzi]

@ModernPlague

1. There is no *scientific* evidence for UFOs (as alien spaceships).

2. He's not good at talking and most of this sounded to me like extreme scifi but it was interesting.

3. Totally agree here.

[ModernPlague]

1.---Read _UFOs and the National Security State_ by Richard Dolan.

There are way too many instances of credible, respected observers witnessing structured, physical, metallic craft that perform in ways that human technology couldn't match. Visual sightings w/ radar, etc.

Declassified documents also show that the Air Force, military, CIA, etc. took the issue very seriously, despite publicly dismissing it as non-sense.

Much (alien abductions, etc.) is disinfo, IMO, but aliens are here---UFOs.

[Chardie420]

data (electrical signals really) would break the law of conservation, which even school children learn and accept. 4.) If there was super intelligent life out there capable of intergalactic travel, would they really wanna deal with us. I think we are living under a Universal Protection act. All these other Races (yes multiple races) have said we're just gonna stay away from these guys, let them kill themselves off and the galaxy will go on and we've done nothing wrong. See, they're smart.

[TheOnlineMick]

@Chardie420 He did say that type 0 to type 1 is the hardest transition. All what you have mentioned is some of the relevant evidence to this difficult transition.

You are analyzing the state rather then comprehending the possibly domino effect of changing the foundation.

Alot of the psychological aberrations that get deemed as "human nature" are simply bi-products of the environment we live in. To change these we must eliminate the boundaries that fuel it.

I suggest you research "Earth 2.0"

[Chardie420]

I agree with you. If we did change now we would have a chance at intergalactic proliferation. I unfortunately have lost faith in humanities ability to change. I feel we have past the apex and are on the slippery slope of decline.

[TheOnlineMick]

@Chardie420 "If there was super intelligent life out there capable of intergalactic travel, would they really wanna deal with us. I think we are living under a Universal Protection act. All these other Races (yes multiple races) have said we're just gonna stay away from these guys, let them kill themselves off"

Do you not intervene when you witness two children fighting with each other? If they are move advanced, then we would be the children to guide.

[Chardie420]

I dont. It is not my place.  The children will eventually learn that fighting brings about pain and suffering. If they do not realize this, they deserve no intervention.

I also beleive that they have intervened before. This is all purely theoretical so i tend not to discuss it, as opinion matter is just and open ended "argue with me" statement here on the interwebs.

[Chardie420]

are those with an insect like mentality. That is too say that they are willing to sacrifice the individual for the greater good. Humanity lacks this. 3.) Blomkamp assumes that some day we will reach "the singularity", i consider this a bunch of Sci Fi, excuse me, Sy Fy hoo-hah. Artificial intelligence is impossible the same way alchemy or perpetual motion is. You cannot create something from nothing. This is too say that a computer functions only off known or stored data. For it too create

[Chardie420]

I'm going to have to disagree with Mr. Blomkamp on a few points. 1. Dyson spheres are impossible to build. There is not enough matter in the universe too surround the sun. 2. He is giving the human race way too much credit. We are a bunch of dumb apes playing with glorified spears. This is too say any technology we have made has been in the pursuit of war. "Well what about curing disease" we cure disease so we have more people to help us fight. The only civilizations that would flourish

[LinkD3]

@Chardie420

I completely agree.

There's a weird trend of introspective self worship among humanity increasingly.

& that in and of itself I think proves that the goals he mentions will never be reached...

I personally from both a theistic/faith & logical scientific standpoint literally blame sin. As what scripture calls "sin" is being ironically proven by science today. like a wall to humanities progress.

But I'm sure that idea is hokeyness to most on here... :/

thus only proving it more...

[Chardie420]

Yea, generally if we're gonna talk about Aliens we're gonna leave Jesus out of it.

[marcelgegier]

Sorry to disagree. I think this whole stuff lacks on the fundamental influence of spirit and consciousness. I also believed in this version of reality long time. But today I think, its not more than a vage projection of our technoid, spiritless society.

I do agree in his estimation on this huge change through witch we are going right now.

Question: What do you think they might look like? *g*

[emcce69]

go read your bible and shut up

[DavidWilliamson1982]

If you had perfect knowledge, what could it be used to find?

[BarrykeNL]

Agreed on the video. I would like to add that perhaps humans are the byproduct of such a mega artificial intelligence. Or to poke at the HitchHikers Guide To The Galaxy lecture: are part of this artificial intelligence.

[soberauer]

While I'm not as convinced about aliens existing as Neill Blomkamp, I do agree with him about the direction that humans should be heading in, which is why I think the Venus Project is so important.

[askheim]

amazing video!

[13thcrusade]

I say lets gear up and devour the universe like the locausts we are! Send out giant world killing computers that convert planets and stars into energy and destroy EVERYTHING! Humans will consume the very stars and existence itself... After all is consumed and devoured we shall have to convert ourselves into energy and consume ourselves... We will be the DEATH of this universe! Mwahahahahahahaha! ;)

[emcce69]

or all that energy might collaspe on its self.. restarting the big bang, and going on forever.

[xNikaXteeNx]

that would be crazy.

[emcce69]

Just a theory, but with out any real evidence, but its fun to think about.

[reeft]

hypothesis ;)

[emcce69]

@reeft

Smart ass

[RRomeo77]

great, more like this!

[Utharas]

Much of this is merely theoretical and speculation. I am sure that there is a great amount of error, and that it would have to be refined through more accurate and abundant data.

If his claims regarding class one planets are relatively true, that means that the culture of the world has to evolve faster than the technology. You can't afford to have extremest who will recklessly destroy so many people in the name of something that is worthless.

I would comment more, but there is a character limit.

[emcce69]

I want to here more

[Utharas]

Hear more of what I have to say? I am just a stupid 18 y/o high school student with only a basic background in science, and who uses rudimentary deductive reasoning. My ideas would be fundamental and superficial at best.

[emcce69]

I just wanted to know if you had any other ideas about the subject. I wish he would of said something about what he thinks aliens look like, that was just about technology,and culture. I was expecting biology.

[Utharas]

Well, if you accept or consider the concept of evolution, then it would be impossible to predict the biology of the aliens. Evolution is entirely random, and things survive based purely on their surroundings. So in order to predict what the aliens would be like, you would first have to know the ecology and geology of the world that they would originate from. Otherwise, there are very few limitations as far as possibilities go.

[emcce69]

true

[ryu8888]

Wait I don't get it, is this official or not?

[moebear]

Really fascinating stuff. I want to see Neil do more Science Fiction moves now.

[TresobYr]

I found the logic of the 1/2/3 civilizations to be terribly circular. It essentially claims to prove itself based on its own lack of evidence.

The idea of singularity also sounds to me like the saddest, most depressing fate for a civilization. My hope is that, if the theory is true, we don't see signs of e.t. because they ultimately rejected monotony in favor of diversity. Call me a browncoat., but I'd rather have the conflict that comes with individuality than a "peace" that erases the self.

[Xtraeme]

There are two ways to interpret overcoming self. One is the end of self in the sense that it's erased and everything merges in to a collective. The other is positive in that the self is completely empowered so there's no longer a need to live life in service to ones-self rather than in service to others.

If you're interested in the ontology behind this idea visit: ( tinyurl (dot) com / scarcity-ToE ) for a technical write-up.

[grimmwerks]

I found it interesting, and really well done.

However I'm sure with all the money spent for graphics/editing he's probably pissed that someone wrote the 'thank you' wrong.

I see our civilization breaking down just in the way that language is breaking down.

[faminespace606]

this is simply on the assumption(human nature). that science is the answer.

[shadowstark]

Well... Not really amazing as far as a TED talk goes, imo. It comes across as more of a... well, a really well done report. Or one of those mini-documentaries you see on television. It's not bad or anything, just not quite what I want out of a TED talk, unless you actually ARE Kurtzweil or Kardashev.

But still generally interesting to know his point of view.

[Sean19a7x2]

This is very interesting stuff, makes one question his own existence and religion on this tiny little planet we call earth. Very nicely done.

[emcce69]

question your religion, question everything.

[sasanpad]

You present your imagination and assumptions as if it is pure, proven science.

[darknova666]

@sasanpad He did say "I believe it to be true" and that's his belief, he is merely theorizing the proablity of it being true, like most other theories is about 50%. so...

[Daemonion666]

I was underwhelming by the presentation but enjoyed hearing about the Type 1/2/3 societies.

[adp023]

8:55 ....The Borg!! lol

[Raydiant]

Interesting stuff, Neil.

[milovy]

Although honestly I think Blomkamp's scenario of "nature preserves" is a little rosy, since he seems to be saying mankind would basically need to turn every square inch of Earth into an energy processing machine, and then the machines will become sentient and humans won't be needed any more. Yeah, sign me up for THAT. (if no more humans, than why do you need nature preserves?)

[Alex989Y]

I agree with most of what he says until the end. There are almost certainly more advanced life forms in the Universe than humans, we are very young and very primitive.

[milovy]

@Alex989Y Actually one thing Blomkamp doesn't talk of is the concept of a "Type IV" civilization which has managed to harness all the energy of the entire universe. In which case, this civilization's activities would be so similar to the workings of nature, as to be undetectable to us.

And then there are those who think "Type IV civilization" describes "God."

[Yickth]

This caught my attention from the beginning, and my attention never wavered.

[timdiggerm]

B.S.

I mean, the Type 0/1/2/3 thing has little-to-no basis, and the bit about "The transition from Type 0 to Type 1 is the most difficult thing evar" is completely made up, fueled by societal fears, wishful thinking, and a desire to recast certain political views into moral battles upon which rests the survival of our entire civilization, contrasting us with imagined failures in order to satisfy our pride that we may be the ones to overcome.

B.S.

[milovy]

@timdiggerm "Little to no basis" in what? It's a theory. And although Blomkamp doesn't mention Joseph Tainter, if you read Tainter's work ("The Collapse of Complex Societies") the idea that it would be incredibly hard to get to Type I is well supported by evidence. As societies grow more complex and technologically capable of harnessing the world's energy, our R&D activities tend to expend more energy than we get back from the effort. Only if we pass this barrier will we reach Type I.

[derpenstein]

I think the transition from late-zero to type-one is logically the most dangerous time period. By definition a civilization making that transition is in new territory... I would not be surprised if a significant percentage of civilizations wipe themselves out, or simply maroon themselves on their home planet by overuse of resources, before becoming fully Type 1 and gaining the ability to colonize space.

[zenonithus]

Very inspirational talk! Nice one Neill!

Though Gliese 581 d should be the planet you are refereing to ;)

[catchmeluckybigs]

Beautiful explanation.

Great job Neil.

[d15c0v3ry]

Fantastic piece, thank you for this!

[supersocco]

Well done Neill!