X-Message-Number: 29752 From: Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:19:32 -0500 Subject: Answers to Dave Pizer's Singularity Quiz --_----------=_1187655572285564 Content-Disposition: inline 1. In 25 words or less - What is the singularity? "The Technological Singularity is the hypothesized creation, usually via AI or brain-computer interfaces, of smarter-than-human entities who rapidly accelerate technological progress beyond the capability of human beings to participate meaningfully in said progress." -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_Singularity 2. In 10 words or less is it a good thing or a bad thing? Most likely a bad thing. 3. In 50 words or less, explain your reasons in #2 above. I believe the Singularity to be a coming threat to the existence of humanity. I see no logical reason why a sentient supercomputer would have any interest in perpetuating our continued existence. And I'm just Luddite enough to want to choose the future option for myself, of whether I want to be "uploaded" and discard the meat body, without the option of returning, rather than having some superentity make the decision for me. Or worse yet, make the decision that my continued individual existence in any form at all, is not needed. (I did not count the words. If I went over, then as payment for my misdeed I will probably be the first human the Singularity AI has for lunch.) -- We've Got Your Name at http://www.mail.com ! Get a FREE E-mail Account Today - Choose From 100+ Domains --_----------=_1187655572285564 Content-Disposition: inline Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" [ AUTOMATICALLY SKIPPING HTML ENCODING! ] Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=29752