Vernor Vinge: How to Prepare for the Singularity

Sci-fi author Vernor Vinge talks about the run-up to a technological singularity and what we can do to engineer the best outcome for humans. The interview is part of IEEE Spectrum's Singularity Special Report: http://spectrum.ieee.org/singularity

In the report, Vinge also updates his ideas in an article called "Signs of the Singularity": http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/jun08/6306

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• ieee
• spectrum
• technological
• singularity
• vernor
• vinge
• signs
• special
• report
• future
• futurist
• artificial
• intelligence
• sci-fi

[AuxentiusZ]

I think the fears that the earth's ecosystem cannot sustain it are valid, but technology is improving and becoming far less wasteful. But recall, as intelligence explodes (in the Singularity) there will also no doubt come advances in how to use fewer and fewer resources to get the desired result. (For instance, vast farms are required to produce food for a growing human population.  As we near the singularity, molecular construction might produce all the food we require.)

[dusteroo]

...(first-world, technological-based) humanity is becoming more delusional than intelligent. In my humble opinion.

just an excelled understanding of technology - additionally, more dependent on technology..

Because people in the Amazon or remote Africa aren't aware of certain technologies elsewhere, are they 'ignorant' ? stupid? Why such a rush to find out ? The only reason they might have to worry about knowing is that whether it'll mean the natural resources in their world will be stolen.

[CrunchTHEkangaroo]

@mjs1231 It will be awesome when Dr. Steel is world emperor.

[CrunchTHEkangaroo]

BRING ON THE SINGULARITY!!

[mjs1231]

No thanks, this will be severely damaging. I guarantee. Look how the power structure is now, the elite will use it against the majority. bad times are coming.

[spencergoldman]

we wouldn't need a bathroom if there was a singularity.

[7omnia7]

@AuxentiusZ I think it will imitate the World's ecosystem in some way. It's true that advances will reduce the dependancy on resources but "molecular construction" still requires energy...

The way biological life itself spares energy and is energy-efficient is marvelous but might be surpassed.

As Life might be an expression of matter, who knows? Maybe the "Singularity" might be an expression of Life.

[Xeletoph]

@petrocalypsenow If you don't know these emerging technologies, I formally invite you to visit my channel. Amongst my favorites is a 6 part compilation of videos called "our technical reality" - it outlines all of these developments I've mentioned, and many many more.

Truth be told, most people(myself included) aren't aware of the truth state of technology. It's generally 5-7 years ahead of what the populace believes. In the case of japan, their tech is 7-9 years ahead of the USA.

[Xeletoph]

Petrol is actually HUGELY out dated. We can use ethanol, solar, electric, algae, wind, geothermal tidal & wave force to generate in excess of energy - more then we even need, without touching petrol. Plastics, rubbers, wire housings, can all be made by using hemp fiber - even metals, paints, fuel, food, clothing, medicine and agriculture can see benefits from hemp.

See - there IS hope. For the first time, the earth has spawned a species that can PROTECT its self from extinction. I choose life!

[Xeletoph]

@petrocalypsenow No oil=/=no roads=/= no cars(period). We can pathe streets with glass. You heard me - GLASS! We're exceedingly good at making the stuff these days, and can make it even harder then steel, yet still maintain its transparency. It could be formed out of all of the refuse we have laying around on the planet. Under the streets would be solar cells which would be designed to collect solar energy which in turn would power MANY forms of transportation, including locomotives and freight

[petrocalypsenow]

@Xeletoph BTW, I hope you are right. Because if you're not about 6 billion people on this planet are going to die.

That said, there is one hope for humanity but it's such a longshot it may not be worth talking about, namely, fusion power. If we solve the engineering problem behind ICF/MCF, either alone (NIF/ITER) or in combination with fission ("LIFE" reactors) then all bets are off. We may not only survive as a species but thrive. The challenges are extreme but that's our only hope IMhO.

[petrocalypsenow]

@Xeletoph I've talked to dozens of people on YT and, like you, many are fixated on cars. They think it's all about keeping the cars going. That's just the tip of the iceberg. So when someone focuses on cars that's how I know they haven't thought through the problem of peak oil. The tires, the dashboard, the wiring, the seats, the highway the electric car drives upon are ALL made from oil. No oil = no roads = no cars (period). And this doesn't address how to keep the planes, trains & semis going.