Re: [singularity] Defining the Singularity

[deering]

Michael Anissimov, as usual, we are speaking past each other.  I actually agree with you much more than you give me credit for.  With the exponential pace of technological advancement and the new powers inherent in superhuman intelligence, and molecular engineering, the future can't help but be quite different from what it is today.  There is some discussion as to whether this will be sooner or later, or over a shorter time frame or longer, but there can be little doubt about the end result.  My person intuition, as Ben says, is for a near instantaneous total break from present reality.  Your idea of a nondisruptive disruption occupies a small but distinctive portion of my belief-space.    One thing missing from almost all visions of a post-Singularity society, yours included, is the idea that not only will we be able to re-engineer all of our environment at the molecular scale but we will also be able to re-engineer ourselves as well.  This includes our body forms, physical capabilities, and more importantly, our mental structures.  Many people want to change themselves.  Josh Hall wants to be a cloud.  Some want to be mermaids, or dragons.  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]