X-Message-Number: 27965 Date: Sun, 21 May 2006 02:07:57 -0500 From: Subject: So, did the Singularity put in an appearance? Inquiring minds want to know. As long as we have the luxury of such minds, that is. If the Singularity did not show up at its Conference, we can be thankful (to something random, no doubt) that we might have another year's respite. But why the dead silence, from the attendees? Was it that boring? Or was there such a lack of discussion about the most important issue, namely, that the Singularity, when it comes, poses a rapidly growing threat to the need for human existence, that participants are still in a state of shock? Or were they all of the brainwashed "Extropian" set who think all things are proactively good, such as the advent of the Singularity without a shutoff switch, or things like letting countries such as Iran and North Korea develop nuclear weapons? I'm particularly disappointed by the silence of Rudi, who first announced this Conference and that he was going, and who was requested to bring back a report. A report specifically on whether any of the "big brains" there mentioned even the possibility that the advent of the Singularity might be a very dangerous thing to our future health. To the very existence of individual thought and self-concept. But maybe he thinks the Singularity will be impressed by his $5M of life insurance :) Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=27965