The Singularity

Someday machines will be smarter than us.

I. J. Good (1965) writes:

“Let an ultraintelligent machine be defined as a machine that can far surpass all the intellectual activities of any man however clever. Since the design of machines is one of these intellectual activities, an ultraintelligent machine could design even better machines; there would then unquestionably be an ‘intelligence explosion,’ and the intelligence of man would be left far behind. Thus the first ultraintelligent machine is the last invention that man need ever make.”

A chilling prophecy. Can man create a technology that is so intelligent we cannot control it?

We sit at a point in time when we are looking up at the peak of a mountain. Over the course of human history, the pace of our scientific knowledge and technology, the application of such knowledge, has accelerated at an ever-quickening rate. Even in my own lifetime, I’ve seen the advances of technology overcome more and more obstacles faster and faster. As consumers, we are presented with the dilemma of what products to purchase because the obsolescence of new technology is a looming inevitability. Before we know it, our latest cellphones, computers, televisons, and other gadgets will be outdated before they even hit the store shelves. But that is just a side effect.

What we are really hurtling toward is something known as “The Singularity.” It has been predicted that there will come a point in the future when man and machine are equally intelligent. After that point, machines will be able to engineer better machines, and our intelligence will not be able to keep up. Different predictions place the Singularity as early as 2023 and as late as the end of the 21st century. The predominant prediction is that of Ray Kurzweil which puts the date at 2045.

Will this mean the annihilation of the human race? It’s certainly a possibility. One thing is for sure: if this theory proves to be fact, the Singularity will most likely occur in my lifetime. I, for one, will definitely be following this closely.

Information, examination, and criticism can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_singularity

I told myself I hated surveys

… but this one’s actually sorta good.

The Grown up survey!
Meant to be completed by ADULTS (defined as graduating high school at least a year ago!).

Tired of all of those surveys made up by high school kids?
‘Have you ever kissed someone?’
‘Told someone you loved them?’
‘Drank alcohol?’

Here are some questions for the people who are a little more mature.

1. What bill do you hate paying the most?
The one’s that were due yesterday

2. What’s the best place to eat a romantic dinner?
Used to be Samba Room, now…

3. Last time you puked from drinking?
shamefully, 10/14/2006

4. When is the last time you got drunk and danced on a bar?
never, I’m not a hot chick, or a fat chick who thinks she’s hot

5. Name of your 2nd grade teacher?
Mrs. Feine

6. What do you really want to be doing right now?
playing guitar

7. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I never knew. I guess I wanted to be a musician or a baseball player

8. How many colleges did you attend?
2

9. Why did you wear the shirt that you have on right now?
Because it’s next in the rotation

10. GAS PRICES First thought?
Fuck SUVs

11. If you could be anywhere and take someone with you…Who & where?
I would be in Tokyo with Erin

12. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
oh my god, it’s 6:00am and I only got 3.5 hrs of sleep

13. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
oh my god, please let me fall asleep

14. What chore do you despise?
don’t really despise any of them. if it’s gotta be done, it’s gotta be done

15. If you didn’t have to work, would you volunteer at an art gallery?
fuck no

16. Get up early or sleep in?
depends. this morning: sleep in. Tomorrow: early

17. Who is your favorite cartoon character?
Master Shake, or Nathan Explosion

20. Favorite NON sexual thing to do at night with a girl/guy?
summer night, sipping wine with mellow music playing

21. A secret that you wouldn’t mind everyone knowing?
I just farted

22. Are you planning on remaining in your current field?
hell yeah, accounting rules!

23. If you are not married, do you see yourself married in the next five years?
already took that plunge… the water’s fine!

24. Your favorite lunch meat?
turkey, hands down

25. What do you get every time you go into a WalMart?
I don’t go into WalMart. It’s dirty and smells like white trash

26. Beach or lake?
park?

27. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual that was invented by people who died at 20?
no, but I agree with Sara that too many people don’t take it seriously

28. Who do you stalk on MySpace?
I just mind my own business, thank you

29. Favorite guilty pleasure?
the new Green Day album

30. Favorite movie you wouldn’t want anyone to find out about?
I wouldn’t call it a favorite, but I still like “The Last Unicorn” from when I was little

31. What’s your drink?
1979 Chateau Lafite Rothschild

32. Cowboys or Indians?
dumb question

33. Cops or Robbers?
dumber question

34. Do you cheer for the bad guy?
I was really kinda hoping that Locke would shoot the cop in the forest last week

35. What Hollywood star do you think resembles you best?
Marlon Brando

36. If you had to pick one, which cast member of Lost would you be?
Jack, so I could take all of his strength and intelligence and be less stubborn about everything

37. What do you want when you are sick?
blow job

38. Who from high school would you like to run into?
no one I don’t already talk to (hi Brett!)

39. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now?
Sleepytime Gorilla Museum

42. Norm or Cliff?
Woody

43. The Cosby Show or the Simpsons?
20 years ago: Cosby. Now: Simpsons.

44. Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back?
no regrets.  just learning experiences (<– copying Sara)

45. Do you like the person who sits directly across from you at work?
Sometimes. Unless she won’t stop complaining about stupid shit

46. If you could get away with it, whom would you kill?
umm…. I don’t want to incriminate myself, but there are a few…

47. What famous person would you like to have dinner w?
President Bush

48. What famous person would you like to sleep with?
Charlize Theron!!!

49. Have you ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose?
not yet

50. Last book you read for real?
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (almost done)

51. Do you have a teddy bear?
nope

52. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth?
your mom’s house

53. Somewhere in California you’ve never been and would like to go?
fuck California. I hope it sinks into the ocean

54. Number of texts in a day?
what am I? 17?

55. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or relationship?
neither, happy with both

57. Pencil or pen?
Pen, I don’t make mistakes

58. bueller??? bueller??? bueller???
Life goes pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it.

59. How many jobs have you had?
3

60. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
CPA, MBA, partner, maybe some more kids, still married, happy as hell

61. What do you think of the person that took this survey before you?
YAY sara! Thanks for hanging out with us