Mindprowler
- Mar 2, 2012
- 3
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2012
- Messages
- 3
The advancement of technology is something I find incredibly interesting, not only because of the implications it presents (nanotechnology, consumer bionic technology, physical augmentations, incredibly realistic virtual reality simulations, medical advances, life extension and longevity increases etc) but because of how predictable and how consistent advancement laws (Law of Accelerating Returns, Moore's Law, Kryder's Law) have been. The inevitable outcome of these laws is technological singularity, the point in time where machine intelligence surpasses human intelligence. How can this happen? The most obvious first step is the reverse engineering of the human brain, that is, understanding the processes taking place within the brain, understanding the complex dance routine neurons seem to be involved in.
The technologies involved in brain scanning / experimentation (fMRI, MEG, PET, TMS, and TPLS) are all developing at an exponential rate, described by laws like Moore's Law and Kryder's Law. Features like spatial resolution and time resolution are continually increasing allowing us to view more neurons in a smaller time frame, thus allowing us to create increasingly accurate models and simulations of the human brain. Once these models are sufficiently developed we will be able to develop software based on them, replicating the human brain and the activities within, allowing us to work towards developing "strong AI", artificial intelligence with pattern recognition, cognitive function, and learning capabilities similar (and eventually better) than our own. Once artificial intelligence at this level is developed technology will continue to advance even faster since most of the design will be done by the machines themselves (Law of Accelerating Returns, which shows that the rate of technological advancement itself is also exponential, meaning information technology develops along a double exponential curve, showing an exponential curve even on a logarithmic scale).
A lot of people are frightened by this, they envision future wars between man and machine, apocalyptic sci-fi movie scenarios where we end up enslaved by our own technology. I find that rather silly, it completely disregards aim and purpose of the field of bionics, a field that is already well underway. Humanity doesn't just sit there watching their technology get more and more intelligent, humanity merges with their technology. We incorporate the technology into our bodies, nonbiological parts working together with biological parts. We already see this with artificial organs, prosthetic limbs, hearing aids, contact lenses, GPS implants, ultrasonic sensory implants (Kevin Warwick being the first to do this), and other sensory aiding implants. We don't stand beside the exponential curve of technological advancement, we latch on to it and join it.
Anyways, before I get too carried away I'll stop myself here, what are your thoughts regarding the future advancement of technology? What about technological advancement excites you?
tl;dr? Technology develops exponentially, the implications of this are extensive, what are your thoughts?
The technologies involved in brain scanning / experimentation (fMRI, MEG, PET, TMS, and TPLS) are all developing at an exponential rate, described by laws like Moore's Law and Kryder's Law. Features like spatial resolution and time resolution are continually increasing allowing us to view more neurons in a smaller time frame, thus allowing us to create increasingly accurate models and simulations of the human brain. Once these models are sufficiently developed we will be able to develop software based on them, replicating the human brain and the activities within, allowing us to work towards developing "strong AI", artificial intelligence with pattern recognition, cognitive function, and learning capabilities similar (and eventually better) than our own. Once artificial intelligence at this level is developed technology will continue to advance even faster since most of the design will be done by the machines themselves (Law of Accelerating Returns, which shows that the rate of technological advancement itself is also exponential, meaning information technology develops along a double exponential curve, showing an exponential curve even on a logarithmic scale).
A lot of people are frightened by this, they envision future wars between man and machine, apocalyptic sci-fi movie scenarios where we end up enslaved by our own technology. I find that rather silly, it completely disregards aim and purpose of the field of bionics, a field that is already well underway. Humanity doesn't just sit there watching their technology get more and more intelligent, humanity merges with their technology. We incorporate the technology into our bodies, nonbiological parts working together with biological parts. We already see this with artificial organs, prosthetic limbs, hearing aids, contact lenses, GPS implants, ultrasonic sensory implants (Kevin Warwick being the first to do this), and other sensory aiding implants. We don't stand beside the exponential curve of technological advancement, we latch on to it and join it.
Anyways, before I get too carried away I'll stop myself here, what are your thoughts regarding the future advancement of technology? What about technological advancement excites you?
tl;dr? Technology develops exponentially, the implications of this are extensive, what are your thoughts?
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