Singularity Signposts – 2feb2009

George Rebane

Financial Times reports that NASA and Google are co-sponsoring a new university to begin formal studies of the Singularity.  Through this blog’s Singularity Signposts section, RR readers have been apprised of this unique and epochal event toward which the human race is careening with ever increasing speed.  Now we learn that –

Google and NASA are throwing their weight behind a new school for futurists in Silicon Valley to prepare scientists for an era when machines become cleverer than people.
 
The new institution, known as “Singularity University”, is to be headed by Ray Kurzweil, whose predictions about the exponential pace of technological change have made him a controversial figure in technology circles.

Google and NASA’s backing demonstrates the growing mainstream acceptance of Mr Kurzweil’s views, which include a claim that before the middle of this century artificial intelligence will outstrip human beings, ushering in a new era of civilization.
 
To be housed at NASA’s Ames Research Center, a stone’s-throw from the Googleplex, the Singularity University will offer courses on biotechnology, nano-technology and artificial intelligence.

Our political leaders have been totally ignorant of the Singularity and the forces that this will unleash in the realm of human affairs.  The MSM has been behind the curve as usual, attempting to discover the future through its own cracked rear view mirror.  Perhaps the founding of this new institution will be a wake-up call as to how we should interpret and react to events leading up to the Singularity.  In the end, it does not matter.

Some readers have been puzzled by the masthead statement of this blog – ‘Observations and interpretations of events from the last great century of Man.’  I sincerely hope that this announcement will serve to clarify the real adventure upon which we are all now embarked.   

Comments

[Account Deleted]

That "future" era is already here. My 5 dollar calculator can do sums far more accurately than most economists and politicians. I well remember our current leader being asked during the election campaign about the fact that the costs of his proposals were well over any imagined "savings" by removing our troops from Iraq. Obama dismissed the interviewer with a wave of his hand and the assertion that "we'll work all that out". And indeed we are.

[RL Crabb]

Open the pod bay door, HAL.