Greg Burch writes,
> ...Lanier seems able to engage in an
> extended and fairly well-informed critique of transhumanism and extropianism
> without using those words.
Right, he uses the term "cybernetic totalism" to refer to the
Kurzweil-Moravec-deGaris-Drexler constellation of concepts which point to
technological singularity. His manifesto is constrained by limiting itself to
computers and software (his areas of expertise) -- with only a cursory glance at
biotechnology and nanotechnology. He insufficiently analyzes (imo) the explosion
of robotics laboratory work.
Who would not agree with him that software has failed to keep up with hardware
development? No news there. But why doesn't he mention recent consilience of
machines with humans (cyborg technology)?
He jokes that robots of the future will stall when their computer operating
systems crash. His manifesto seems to me a whining diatribe motivated by his own
frustrating experience with computers.
But for anyone terrified of the future and its accelerating technologies,
Lanier's essay might serve as a soothing tranquilizer. He seems to imply, "Stop
fretting folks. The future will fail, so we can all get back to our desks to
work on those darned spreadsheets."
--J. R.
"Greetings, flesh-forms! I am Kevin Warwick of Reading University, cyborg
freedom fighter from the 22nd century. My era is very different to yours -
civilisation has been destroyed and humanity almost wiped out in the long wars
against the giant, battery powered "robot football team", and a sinister,
skeletal "electric cat". But some fragments of our ancient history remain,
passed down from one cybernetically enhanced forearm to another - and, in those
records, one name stands out above all others. That name is Kevin Warwick of
Reading University - the most important human being who ever lived."
http://www.kevinwarwick.org.uk/
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