Yes, it is possible that the Singularity is already here. The integration of human brains with a vastly more powerful computer network raises the possibility that these brains could experience an artificial universe simulated by providing sensory data to input nerves or by direct manipulation of neurons and synapses. Such brains would be unaware of the universe as it actually exists.
So how do you know this hasn't already happened?
You are presented with a universe where space has three dimensions, where matter and light and sound exist, where other people exist, where human bodies have a particular form, and so on. Are you sure? Even your most fundamental assumptions could be wrong. For example, do you believe that time exists? How do you know that a lifetime of memories wasn't planted in your head one millisecond ago?
You can't prove reality exists because you have no axioms. But there is some evidence reality does not exist. In particular, there is evidence that the universe is a computation. First, you can already write programs to generate some aspects of artificial reality, such as images and sound. Second, Hutter's AIXI theory, which essentially proves that a computable universe implies Occam's Razor, would not be so compelling if Occam's Razor were not so applicable to everything from making sense out of everyday life, to the search for the Grand Unified Theory of physics.
We reject the idea that reality is not real, not for social reasons, but because our brains are programmed that way through evolution. If you actually believed that nothing was real, you would be considered mentally ill, and probably not live long enough to pass on your DNA. You need to believe in reality or there would be no reason to eat or fear death.
-- Matt Mahoney, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
So how do you know this hasn't already happened?
You are presented with a universe where space has three dimensions, where matter and light and sound exist, where other people exist, where human bodies have a particular form, and so on. Are you sure? Even your most fundamental assumptions could be wrong. For example, do you believe that time exists? How do you know that a lifetime of memories wasn't planted in your head one millisecond ago?
You can't prove reality exists because you have no axioms. But there is some evidence reality does not exist. In particular, there is evidence that the universe is a computation. First, you can already write programs to generate some aspects of artificial reality, such as images and sound. Second, Hutter's AIXI theory, which essentially proves that a computable universe implies Occam's Razor, would not be so compelling if Occam's Razor were not so applicable to everything from making sense out of everyday life, to the search for the Grand Unified Theory of physics.
We reject the idea that reality is not real, not for social reasons, but because our brains are programmed that way through evolution. If you actually believed that nothing was real, you would be considered mentally ill, and probably not live long enough to pass on your DNA. You need to believe in reality or there would be no reason to eat or fear death.
----- Original Message ----
From: Hank Conn <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, October 9, 2006 8:03:46 PM
Subject: Re: [singularity] i'm new
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]
From: Hank Conn <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, October 9, 2006 8:03:46 PM
Subject: Re: [singularity] i'm new
"It's quite possible that singularity is **already here** as new knowledge
and that the only barrier is social acceptance."
and that the only barrier is social acceptance."
The Singularity isn't "new knowledge" that's already here. The Singularity is the fusion of the direct computations of consciousness with the accelerating growth of the computing technology. This has virtually no connection to any awaited "social acceptance" of anything whatsoever.
-hank
On 10/9/06, Bruce LaDuke <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Just a sidebar on the whole 2012 topic.
It's quite possible that singularity is **already here** as new knowledge
and that the only barrier is social acceptance. Radical new knowledge is
historically created long before it is accepted by society or
institutionalized and that often outside the boudaries of the academic
establishment.
New knowledge created by individuals must be accepted by society in order
for society itself to advance. To use a biological analogy, singularity
begins at the knowledge creation (conception), not at social acceptance of
that knowledge (birth) and it doesn't manifest as mature until it grows from
there.
Kind Regards,
Bruce LaDuke
Managing Director
Instant Innovation, LLC
Indianapolis, IN
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.hyperadvance.com
----Original Message Follows----
From: "Ben Goertzel" < [EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [singularity] i'm new
Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2006 22:32:18 -0400
Hi,
>i'm very interested in following and joining diiscussions about 2012.
>
>cheers
>
>
>aLe mu(RaRo)
Regarding 2012 ... while this list is open to discussion of *every*
aspect of the Singularity, as list owner I would like to maintain a
focus on the Singularity in the Vinge-ean sense, meaning Singularity
as an outcome of exponentially accelerating scientific and
technological growth
I realize that there is a connection between Vingean Singularity and
Terrence McKenna-an Singularity, and that this connection has seemed
meaningful to a bunch of intelligent people.... So, I don't want to
wholly outlaw discussions of 2012-ism and related McKenna-esque issues
on this list. You never know where insights may come from.
On the other hand, I wouldn't want this sort of stuff to become a
dominant theme of the list either...
For the record, I don't personally find the McKenna-esque "Singularity
will come in 2012" notion at all credible, in spite of various
arguments I've read regarding the Mayan calendar, the Timewave theory,
etc. I have had many discussions with 2012-ites and still have the
impression that this is all a bunch of flapdoodle ;-) ... [I
understand that the machine-elvises from the 9th dimension told
McKenna that 2012 will be the magic year; but, well, let's say that I
find it a mistake to take psychedelic visions too literally....]
-- Ben G
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