From: Steve Sloan II <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: Killer Bs Discussion <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Killer Bs Discussion <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: This Is Spinal Ta-, er, Metallica Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2004 09:22:33 -0600
Travis Edmunds wrote:
> Do you mean (A) singualarity? If so, I saw one the other night > on TNG. If not...then could you explain? I probably am familiar > with what you speak of, but it's not exactly rolling of my > tongue.
The Singularity Robert's talking about is metaphorically like a black hole-type singularity, because you can't see in from outside. The idea is that computing technology (and other technologies as well) has been increasing in speed and power exponentially. Assuming that exponential curve continues at the same rate, computers should have the raw processing power of a human brain in about 30 years or so, give or take a year or two. Moore's Law suggests that 18 months later, they'll be equivalent to 2 brains, then 18 months later, 4 brains, then 8 brains, 16 brains, etc. In the course of a few years, that effect should change society so much and so rapidly that people living before it happens can't even comprehend it, much less predict its effects with any reliability.
Vernor Vinge is the main author who promoted the idea in science fiction, and serious stories since then have had to react to it. They either have to explain why it didn't happen in the particular far future society they're writing about, or find some way to imagine and write about a society where it did happen.
Thanks Steve, AND Richard. Light has now been shed on Roberts singularity.
-Travis
_________________________________________________________________
Add photos to your e-mail with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/photos&pgmarket=en-ca&RU=http%3a%2f%2fjoin.msn.com%2f%3fpage%3dmisc%2fspecialoffers%26pgmarket%3den-ca
_______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l