Re: What is the singularity?

From: E. Shaun Russell (e_shaun@extropy.org)
Date: Mon Jul 30 2001 - 10:38:24 MDT


Harvey wrote:

>Does anybody else have memory of an earlier, more generic meaning for the
>term singularity? Am I having false memories, or is my mind-wipe fading?

Don't worry Harvey...you're not alone. Over the years I have seen both the
term and the concept of "Singularity" become more slippery and malleable,
depending on who uses it. This seems to be true of a number of terms that
start out with a specific meaning. It makes it difficult for me to say
conclusively that "I do not believe in the Singularity." Rather, I have to
say "I don't believe in a Yudkowskian Singularity, a Smart Singularity, and
various other forms of Singularities."

One thing I think a lot of the main Singularity theorists don't take into
account is the presence of human adaptability. Has that not been a
parallel curve to the Singularity curve thus far? What I would be
interested in is the point where the two lines diverge.

________________________________________________________
E. Shaun Russell Operations Officer, Extropy Institute
e_shaun@extropy.org http://www.extropy.org
                                       COO and Director, Kryos Biomedical
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                  ~K i n e t i c i z e Y o u r P o t e n t i a l~



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