What I'd like to hear from Singularitarians
I just completed a survey for Socrates of the Singularity Weblog. It's all multiple choice until the end when he asks his readers:
What do you struggle with the MOST when it comes to the singularity?
My Answer:
No struggle with the concept, just no faith that it will happen. I'd like to see more imagination and intelligence invested in exploring the potential developments of increasingly powerful and ubiquitous computing technology that does not depend on the creation of AGI. I'd like to see a focus on making our computing and communications infrastructure more robust and efficient so that new hardware is not designed for a short useful life and then eternity in a landfill. I'd like to see things like smart phones that use a LOT less electricity and can re-charge for years via solar cells that are built in or can be plugged in. I'd like to hear from Singularitarians who seem to have a genuine appreciation of the panopoly of failure modes for our technological infrastructure and can therefore think intelligently about ways to safeguard and preserve what is wonderful about the wired world. I'd like less grandiose fantasy and more pragmatic focus on the practical and the achievable. If I've missed anything along those lines, please feel free to send me specific links and I will propagate them.
What do you struggle with the MOST when it comes to the singularity?
My Answer:
No struggle with the concept, just no faith that it will happen. I'd like to see more imagination and intelligence invested in exploring the potential developments of increasingly powerful and ubiquitous computing technology that does not depend on the creation of AGI. I'd like to see a focus on making our computing and communications infrastructure more robust and efficient so that new hardware is not designed for a short useful life and then eternity in a landfill. I'd like to see things like smart phones that use a LOT less electricity and can re-charge for years via solar cells that are built in or can be plugged in. I'd like to hear from Singularitarians who seem to have a genuine appreciation of the panopoly of failure modes for our technological infrastructure and can therefore think intelligently about ways to safeguard and preserve what is wonderful about the wired world. I'd like less grandiose fantasy and more pragmatic focus on the practical and the achievable. If I've missed anything along those lines, please feel free to send me specific links and I will propagate them.