Re: Singularity: Just Say No!

Anders Sandberg (asa@nada.kth.se)
19 Jan 1999 16:53:15 +0100

"Billy Brown" <bbrown@conemsco.com> writes:

> Anders Sandberg wrote:
> > I agree that we need some different scenarios to look at. There were a
> > few scenarios mentioned in the technology thread a few weeks back
> > based on the relative arrival of AI, nanotech and hardware; while they
> > just ended up in the big Singularity discussion, I think the approach
> > is good. We could list the potential technologies and methods
> > available, figure out an approximative dependency tree (i.e. "If we
> > have reliable nanotech, massively parallel CA-style computers become
> > easy and cheap") and discuss the consequences. Most likely this can
> > get extremely complex, so we should either try to run it as a scenario
> > planning project or find some useful hypertext/critlink model to keep
> > track of all the links.
>
> I think a moderated web site would work well enough to be worthwhile. I'd
> be happy to code one up, if someone wants to volunteer the server space.

I think this would be an interesting exercise. It might be a good idea to have someone knowledgeable in technological history look into the design to make it reasonable.

As I see it, we want nodes and links between them, both able to be commented (first a general description like "Simple nanotechnology: the ability to mechanosynthetize some molecular structures using special tools in a controlled environment", or "Simple nanotech leads to advanced nanotech given enough interest and investments", then comments and discussions about the details). Ideally it should be clear what nodes and links are regarded as likely (lots of supporting analysis: lots of small green markers), what is regarded as unlikely (red markers) and controversial (many markers of different colors).

I wish I could devote more time to something like this, but I have a scarce supply of that precious commodity. However, I really wish to see this implemented and hope to participate in the debate. 

-- 
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Anders Sandberg                                      Towards Ascension!
asa@nada.kth.se                            http://www.nada.kth.se/~asa/
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