This series of Podcasts on the future has been challenging and yet very exciting and has opened my imagination. The concept of the Singularity brings up some interesting notions and comes across as crazy, scary, or impossible to many people. From the outset of this Podcast, blog, and whatever else this evolves into, I want our outlook to be an optimistic one, so it is my goal to see the future in the most positive light.
There is danger and the potential for evil or misuse in almost everything, such as in the early days of mankind, I’m sure there were those that thought fire was a evil and deadly technology. Fire certainly has the potential to be used for evil, but it also provides warmth, light, and has a million positive uses. In the same vein, modern and futuristic technologies could be used for destructive, nefarious purposes, but the key now is what it has always been, to pay attention and research and learn how technology works and do not operate out of fear.
Google has famously stated that their motto or slogan is “Don’t be evil”, an they have certainly been questioned and should continue to be questioned on their the ethics of their methods and technologies, but I like that they acknowledge how the data they gather and technology they posses is powerful and could do great harm if improperly used.
Artificial intelligence, quantum computers, digital clones, and merging of organic life into mechanical and digital beings, can be frightening and has certainly been fodder for many science fiction stories, but it doesn’t have to be scary. Caution is of course necessary, but we should also step into the future with boldness and optimism. We should take care that we don’t get burned, but not let the fear of being burned prevent us from exploring and pushing towards new and amazing things.