Nanotechnology, A.I., and the Future of Humankind....

Post by **_The Nehor** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 10:19 pm

I suspect that while nanotech will revolutionize medicine I don't think we'll have practical methods to enhance the human intellect for 50-60 years.

The clock is still ticking on flying cars. Back to the Future made it clear they'll be available by 2015. Progress Report: http://www.theonion.com/content/video/m ... tions_hope

Post by **_Imwashingmypirate** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:00 am

Och for cruds sake.

Arghhhhhh.... This sorta stuff pisses me off. Go read up on things before asking questions. I guess I can't talk really. You should check out Roger Penrose, "The emperor's new mind" and maybe "Shadows of the mind" but primarily the former.

Nano technology?? Huh?? Nano technology is just technology at the size of x10^-7m Wow that is fascinating. Whats more fascinating is nanotubes. But I guess that has nothing to do with this. Right?

I doubt greatly computers will be obsolite any time soon. It is more likely than humans will be obsolite first.

Technology can never take over Humans. It's be like God creating something greater than himself. Does one have that ability? If so then why isn't one God?

Post by **_beastie** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:25 am

TD,

Nanotechnology is fascinating. I read kurzweil's book and an older nano book whose name escapes me (clarifying, I read the older book a couple of years ago), but the sad fact is that I have limitations as far as understanding some of the technical information so can't really judge how realistic it is. My boyfriend has more background in the area, and assures me it's a pipe dream.

However, I think he underestimates the geometric power of advances that kurzweil details. But maybe it is wishful thinking.

Post by **_asbestosman** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 3:17 am

Imwashingmypirate wrote:Arghhhhhh.... This sorta stuff pisses me off. Go read up on things before asking questions. I guess I can't talk really. You should check out Roger Penrose, "The emperor's new mind" and maybe "Shadows of the mind" but primarily the former.

I've read them both and I find Penrose's argument unconvincing. His argument is interesting though, and I learned quite a bit from him. I also know that Penrose is a bazillion times smarter than me. Still, I find his argument to be unconvincing.

I doubt greatly computers will be obsolite any time soon. It is more likely than humans will be obsolite first.

I think so too.

Technology can never take over Humans. It's be like God creating something greater than himself. Does one have that ability? If so then why isn't one God?

Ever heard of evolution? If we can program the goal, then natural selection (or algorithmic selection) plus things like mutations and recombination can allow us to create things better than we can design by explicitly sitting down and planning. This technique designed a strange-looking antenna which had a uniform pattern of radiation. With enough resources, I don't see why this couldn't be applied to designing computers to be smart--maybe smarter than we are.

Anyhow, we already can make ourselves greater than we were at birth. We have eyeglasses for example. While eyeglasses aren't greater than the person without eyeglasses, they do augment the abilities of a person. Can God augment himself? Yet we do it all the time.

Post by **_Imwashingmypirate** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 4:23 pm

But can technology evolve? Really evolve. A program will only do that which we humans program it o do.

Post by **_Mercury** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 4:48 pm

Imwashingmypirate wrote:But can technology evolve? Really evolve. A program will only do that which we humans program it o do.

If you program it to evolve then it evolves. I think you misunderstand what is meant by technology evolving.

Post by **_Imwashingmypirate** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 4:50 pm

But how far can it evolve really? And if we can train technology to evolve then is it possible to make ourselves evolve? And how do you propose we do this?

Post by **_The Nehor** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:04 pm

Imwashingmypirate wrote:But how far can it evolve really? And if we can train technology to evolve then is it possible to make ourselves evolve? And how do you propose we do this?

Magic.

Post by **_Imwashingmypirate** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:07 pm

Well you go work your magic then. And come back with an evolved technological peice of equipment that can replace that spirit that wispers in you ear.

Post by **_truth dancer** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:51 pm

Hi IWMP,

But can technology evolve? Really evolve. A program will only do that which we humans program it o do.

I am not a scientist but find the ideas of some who are into nanotech pretty fascinating.

Already they have developed many forms of technology that can alter the human.

For example, already in existence is a microscopic cell like bit of tech that, placed in a body, can completely alter one's ability to store fat.

The ability to store fat, which was previously essential for surivial in the human, is now rather maladaptive, and technology can completely alter this mechanism.

Similarly there is a little tech creature, that can totally eliminate some forms of diabetes.

In other words, we are just now discovering the ability to alter our bodies, minds, and emotions through tech.

~dancer~