Re: [singularity] Convincing non-techie skeptics that the Singularity isn't total bunk

[Mark Nuzzolilo II]

I have been able to convince maybe one or two people that the Singularity is a plausible scenario that will probably happen in our lifetimes.  I have been able to raise maybe a few more to SL2 status.  But even if you or I were to convince 25 people, I doubt any of them would do anything beyond saying something like "The singularity is -going- to happen within our lifetimes, let's party."   So unless you are a decent writer, or your convincing skills are excellent, recruiting an average person for singularity efforts will be determined by luck more than anything else.  Stefan is right, it should be easier after some years have passed.   To answer Ben's question, I have found more success when showing people a "bridge" such as some of the news articles from Kurzweilai.net, and letting them see for themselves that there is a lot more cutting-edge stuff out there than we see in everyday life.  You can't get from point A to D on a line without first going through points B and C.  Stick with just facts and very little or no speculation; and if you can't do it without speculating, then it is probably too early to get the general public's attention.   Mark N This list is sponsored by AGIRI: http://www.agiri.org/email To unsubscribe or change your options, please go to: http://v2.listbox.com/member/[EMAIL PROTECTED]