The Singularity and the Sideshow

“Think of it like having your phone, but in your brain. If you ask a question your brain will be able to go out to the cloud for an answer similar to the way you do on your phone now – only it will be instant . . . and you won’t realise it has been done. “—Ray Kurzweil*

When Achilles races the Tortoise

The reptile always wins,

Because it has a headstart.

Achilles has his sins.†

When smartness races stupidity

The outcome’s just the same.

Garbage in = garbage out’s

The info in your brain.

For optimists are always wrong

And pessimists are right:

We were not born for happiness

But sorrow in the night.

The Singularity will look upon

A world at best destroyed.

By nuclear war and wet-bulb temps

The Cloud won’t be annoyed!

Human history, said Mr. G,

’s the history of crime.

Best embrace what you have now.

There’ll be no other time.

*https://www.theguardian.com/technology/article/2024/jun/29/ray-kurzweil-google-ai-the-singularity-is-nearer

(The name Kurzweil in German means pastime, diversion, amusement, or jest.)

†https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_the_Tortoise_Said_to_Achilles

June 30, 2024