The Singularity

This is of course the notion that computers will some day soon out-think their creators and humanity as we know it will vanish, whooshing us into a new age of super-intelligence where computers run the world. We've seen a couple of really cool and interesting movies recently alluding to this idea. I have recently learned that this is actually more than a notion. It is a belief held by many very influential people and is a globally accepted idea (see Times magazine Feb 21, 2011 edition). While I don't argue the math that supports the idea that technology has advanced exponentially in recent years, I do take issue with the predictions of where that technology will lead us. The basic idea put forth by proponents is that humanity and the world will benefit from the vast advances that will occur when the Singularity happens. The basic assumption is that microprocessor based benefits will follow the same exponential curve of technology advancements. A logical conclusion I must confess. And here it is, "but" a huge assumption is made that humanity has actually benefited at all from computers. Have we? Do we love better? Do we care better? Do we war less? Do we lessen global starvation? Is there less catastrophic loss of life from earthquakes, floods, tidal waves, tornadoes and hurricanes? Is there less racial, religious and ethnic strife? From where I sit (comfortably on my modern couch that was likely produced from CAD, typing on my i Phone) we have not really benefited at all from computers. Computers will continue to get faster and software will continue to get smarter. But if they do produce exponentially more good they will arguably also produce exponentially more bad and the net effect will be null at best and catastrophic at worst. But I think I can safely predict that mankind will be no better or worse than he is today. The created will never rise above the creator. Human beings are capable of far more and are are of immeasurably more worth than lifeless circuit boards filled with only ones and zeros. In one sense I suppose the notion of the Singularity is at least consistent with its own origins. If we did in fact arise out of the chaos of primordial soup it is no stretch to imagine that whatever chaos we may create through technology will yield a Coherent and Benevolent Singularity.