Michael Shermer on Singularity 1 on 1 (part 4)

www.SingularityWeblog.com

I couple of days ago I interviewed Michael Shermer for Singularity 1 on 1.

I met Dr. Shermer at the recent Singularity Summit in New York where he was one of the most entertaining, engaging and optimistic speakers. Since he calls himself a skeptic and not a singularitarian, I thought he would bring not only balance to my singularity podcast but also a healthy doze of skepticism, and I was not disappointed.

During our conversation we discuss a variety of topics such as: his education at a Christian college and original interest in religion and theology; his eventual transition to atheism, skepticism, science and the scientific method; SETI, the singularity and religion; scientific progress and the dots on the curve as precursors of big breakthroughs; life-extension, cloning and mind uploading; being a skeptic and an optimist at the same time; the "social singularity"; global warming; the tricky balance between being a skeptic while still being able to learn and make progress.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Michael Shermer
• Skeptic
• technological singularity

[szabi76]

One of your best interviews! thanks. Would it be a problem for you to upload in one video? I believe the 15 minutes limit is not there anymore.....

[ndanaylov]

@szabi76 Thanks friend, I actually used to be able to upload 60 minute videos almost a year ago but then Google removed that option from my account. So, yes, I would love to upload single videos again for it is much easier for me that way. But my account still doesn't have that option active...

[mate6mty]

Well I am skeptic about being a skeptic!!

[ndanaylov]

@mate6mty Ha, that's funny but also serious... ;-)

[ivanosito]

Great interview! - Thanks Sócrates! Thanks Michael! - ... And,... I hope we meet in year 3.000 and laugh a lot remembering our stresses of our "mortal" pasts.

[GStolyarovII]

This interview is an example of exactly the kinds of discussions that philosophers should focus on a lot more -- discussions of true relevance to human lives and to the future of humanity. Thank you, Socrates and Michael Shermer, for the insightful conversation!