In 1993, Vernor Vinge, an American professor in mathematics and computer science, published his essay The Coming Technological Singularity, “in which he wrote that it would signal the end of the human era, as the new superintelligence would continue to upgrade itself and would advance technologically at an incomprehensible rate. He wrote that he would be surprised if it occurred before 2005 or after 2030.” (Wiki)
In my blogs, I refer to the successor of homo sapiens as humanoid sapiens. “A humanoid is a non-human creature or being, or a robot, with human form or characteristics” (Wiki). Actually, I’ve never questioned myself if that development would be realistic. Homo sapiens is driven by two primal emotions: Fear and Love. In my view, the fear of losing Power to humanoid sapiens would be much stronger than the love.
I think, feel and believe that homo sapiens will never accept losing Power, and especially not to robots, created by humans. In 2015, the Canadian experiment of a hitchhiking robot (HitchBOT) ended after its beheading by human vandals in USA (eg, NYT).
Robot abuse has already been the topic of several media (eg, CNN, abuse of food robots, robot abuse by children, the morality of abusing a robot, Tech Top 10, Can Robots Keep Humans from Abusing Other Robots?). Robot abuse is, however, not a topic in Wikipedia – yet.
I suppose that the technological singularity, if any, will come from a (very) different – and invisible – angle. The Internet of Things might be a more realistic direction and/or example of technological singularity.
“The Internet of Things (IoT) describes physical objects (or groups of such objects), that are embedded with sensors, processing ability, software, and other technologies, and that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the Internet or other communications networks.” Wikipedia
In my view, it’s mind-boggling how much we are becoming dependent on the Internet. Nearly all of my 7 Belief systems (2015 version, 2019 update) need the Internet. The Power domain of the 7 Belief systems cannot even function without it: Data-Info, Money, and Technology. Even Love is dependent (eg, online dating). The Knowledge domain has a mixed dependence. Only Faith seems to be an exception.
The advantages of interconnectedness will be clear to everyone (eg, internet of things). To paraphrase Dutch soccer player Johan Cruijff (1947-2016): every advantage has its disadvantage. The disadvantages of interconnectedness would be devastating and potentially even be catastrophic. If UFOs would represent alien societies, they would have no problem in assuming control over our internet and/or electricity networks, and making humans sitting ducks.
Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft (1977) by The Carpenters
artists, lyrics, video, Wiki-1, Wiki-2
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless stated otherwise.
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