The technological singularity is a concept that refers to a future period in time when superintelligence emerges through technological means. However, is this concept a useful representation of what we mean by singularity? Or should we redefine it?
Read More3D Printing Is Here
So far, 2013 has been the year of the 3D printer. How will the 3D printer change our world in the coming decades? Will the transition be as transformative as the internet revolution?
Read MoreIntelligent Life in the Milky Way
Astronomers now estimate that there are 100 billion Earth-like planets in the Milky Way. What implications does this estimate have on our search for intelligent life in our galaxy?
Read MoreNo Population Bomb
Scholars have predicted a “population bomb” for centuries. But contemporary researchers know that our population’s growth is slowing and is likely to continue to slow. When exactly? A recent study suggests our population will stabilize around 2050. What forces are driving this population transformation?
Read MoreOur Past (and Future) With Supervolcanoes
I recently interview paleoecologist Dr. Robert Dull to discuss his recent discovery that there was a volcanic eruption in 536 C.E. at Lake Illopango in El Salvador. How did this eruption impact the ancient world? And how can we use our knowledge of past supervolcanic eruptions to better understand their future threat to our species?
Read MoreRobot Sex Revolution
The robotics revolution is coming. This revolution will include intimate relationships between humans and robots. When should we expect this to happen? Sooner than you think.
Read MoreBeyond Pangaea
Pangaea is often thought to have been the only supercontinent by most people. However, our planet goes through supercontinent cycles approximately every 600 million years. How many supercontinents have existed in the past? How many will exist in the future?
Read MoreAnother Earth
Recently, astronomers have been discovering more information about the frequency of Earth-like planets in our galaxy. A study yesterday revealed that several Earth-like planets could exist within 10 light-years of our star system. If true, the James Webb Space Telescope could theoretically take direct photographs of other Earth-like planets in the 2020s.
Read MoreThoughts on the Future pt. 3
Humans have always dreamed of immortality. Biologist Aubrey de Grey believes that current research into the aging process may allow humans living today to live indefinitely. Is aging a disease? Will we be able to cure it so soon? And what role will biological immortality play in relation to nanotechnological and artificial intelligence revolutions?
Read MoreThe Next Evolution
Human presence in space is unimpressive compared to our robotic presence. Will we ever join our robots? Will we ever colonize another planet? It’s possible, but it will require a new type of evolution.
Read More21st Century Neanderthals
A few months ago I pondered what it would have been like if other species within the genus Homo had survived into contemporary times. I hypothesized that based on our poor track record of violent conflict modern humans would have treated them very poorly. We may have a chance to see if I am right, because Harvard geneticist and synthetic biology pioneer George Church claims he could bring Neanderthals into the 21st century.
Read MoreThoughts on the Future pt. 2
I frequently encounter thoughts from people about the future that follow a classical dystopian futuristic narrative. Although creating these narratives may serve an important function, they do not adequately explain our likely future trajectory. Throughout the 21st century, we need to start to rethink how our species evolves, and how we solve problems on a global scale.
Read MoreThe Substrate of Mind
The likelihood of a transition to a planet dominated by non-biological intelligence is essentially dependent on one large philosophical assumption: that the substrate of intelligence and consciousness is unimportant. Although I contend that this is currently an unanswerable question, the answer may define our future.
Read MoreThoughts on the Future pt. 1
This is my first post in an ongoing series about the
future. In this entry, I discuss a
few ideas including: exponential modeling, meta-system transitions, and the
likely future of our species standard of living. Read More
The Human Neocortex
In How To Create A Mind by Ray Kurzweil, the importance of the human neocortex is explored. What is important about the human neocortex? How did it evolve in our species? The answer to these questions can shed light on one of the most important evolutionary developments in the history of life on Earth.
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