See, I kind of perversely enjoy living in the age we live in. I like driving around in a physical car, walking on physical gravel and asphalt, going on secret missions (even if the secret is less than scandalous or illegal- hanging out in a park by myself, hitting up the local swimming pool, et al). I kind of like the barbarisms of the past we live in (from the perspective of the future), the imperfections, the accidents, the death, the confusion, the doubt.
That’s why I’m not sure I want the future and all its life changing advancements to come. I don’t want to be more connected to people than I am right now; I don’t want to live in a simulated world; I don’t want to be impervious, etc. etc. That’s how I feel a lot of the time.
Another thing I feel is that life is just kind of a stupid joke and I’d rather live it in that manner than believe in some noble future for this stupid joke. If that makes any sense to you.
I know pretty well the highs and lows of this life, and I’m well aware that whatever I do it will end for me in just a few decades.
Yes, I would gamble it all for the big mystery box.
Not the greatest analogy, but I think of the technological singularity a bit like a black hole singularity. By that I mean the closer you get, the slower time passes, and the closer we get to this tech singularity, the more complicated and hard further progress becomes. Sort of.
I would like a personal robot assistant and to live on Elysium, though.
I think the future can’t come fast enough, and I’m actually kind of pissed that technology isn’t doing more for us already. I want schoolkids in the poorest parts of the world to have the same unfettered access to the internet and the world’s information as kids in Manhattan. I want crops that provide enough food for everyone across the globe, and fast distribution networks to ensure it reaches them. I want injectable nanobots that constantly patrol our bloodstreams, zapping cancers, keeping our waists trim and our arteries healthy and taking care of any pathogens that even think of giving us the sniffles. I want strong, safe housing for everyone across the world rather than having people being forced to live in unspeakable slums with no sanitation. I want an inexhaustible supply of free, clean energy that means we can all power a shiny lifestyle without having to trash the remaining beautiful parts of the world. I want a global teleportation network that will allow me to see those beautiful parts of the world without flying there
Just a little clarification –
Are you asking about the Singularity where the rules have changed enough that we cannot make a reasonable projection of what technology may do next?
Or are you talking about the Geek Rapture?
Agreed, but others can use the teleportation network (it kind of creeps me out) but with the addition of viable manned (and womaned) space exploration and cheap and easy body modification technologies (so people look how they want to look and not be whim to genetics).
I mean, get on it sciency people!
To the OP - life changing tech? Absofrickinglutely. Technological singularity? Harder to tell what the outcome would be but I’m optimistic.
