Singularity

About four billion years ago a molecule made a copy of itself and so became the ultimate ancestor of all earthly life. About two and a half million years ago, the first human awoke to consciousness. About ten thousand years ago civilization began. About five hundred years ago the printing press was invented. About fifty years ago the computer was invented. If computing power continues doubling about every two years, we will soon reach the stage where a computer could process more data than a human.  At some point our understanding, which is based on the experience of our own intelligence, will be surpassed. Superhuman intelligence implies the ability to create even greater intelligence than humans possess. But that depends on how you define intelligence. Processing data is not necessarily always intelligent. Singularity means something that is singular, separate, unusual or distinctive. But that meaning is changing. Acceleration and complexity have increasingly made many concrete developments difficult to predict, especially  where large scale factors apply. If you ask a computer to calculate the value of one divided by zero it will respond with an error message. A singularity can be defined as the point where mathematical modelling breaks down. The inside of a "black hole" is an example of a singularity in the geometry of space. No scientific theory can say anything about what happens beyond its boundary. We can only postulate that different laws will apply inside, but these laws remain forever out of sight. Similarly, the Big Bang, the beginning of the universe, is a singularity in time, and no amount of extrapolation can describe what happened before this singular event. An astronomical singularity is a hypothetical point in space-time at which matter is infinitely compressed to infinitesimal volume - a point of infinite density and infinitesimal volume, at which space and time become infinitely distorted according to the theory of General Relativity. According to the big bang theory, a gravitational singularity existed at the beginning of the universe. Singularities are also believed to exist at the center of black holes. According to Richard Feynman, "It is important to realize that in physics today, we have no knowledge what energy is. We know there is a large amount of electromagnetic energy all around us, but nobody has been able to tap into it directly. The word, “ambient” means, “from the surrounding environment”. We have been harvesting energy from the surrounding environment from before the first glimmerings of civilization. Collecting fire started by a lightening strike, damming and redirecting water, water wheels, windmills, sails on boats, even chemical processes and batteries – all of these harvest energy that is found in our environment in different forms. So ENERGY itself represents a kind of singularity. Computer technology has advanced at a faster rate than many other technologies. Computers tend to double in power every two years or so. This trend is related to Moore's Law, which states that transistors double in power every 18 months. Vernor Vinge says that at this rate, it's only a matter of time before humans build a machine that can "think" like a human. We're fast approaching the moment when humans and machines merge. The Coming Technological Singularity is when humans build a machine that can "think" like a human. Vinge proposes a prediction that mankind will develop superhuman intelligence before 2030. Computer networks might somehow become self-aware. Computer/human interfaces become so advanced that humans essentially evolve into a new species. Biological science advancements allow humans to physically engineer human intelligence, which could lead to machines taking over. But hardware is only part of the equation. Before artificial intelligence becomes a reality, someone will have to develop software that will allow a machine to analyze data, make decisions and act autonomously. If that happens, we can expect to see machines begin to design and build even better machines. These new machines could build faster, more powerful models. Advanced toward the technological singularity could come faster than we could recognize them. As technological advances speed up, machines could learn how to improve themselves. Humans could become obsolete in the computer world. We would have created a superhuman intelligence.  At some point we have to consider technophobia. Attempting to suppress a technology only inflicts more damage if we try to regulate it or slow it down. But technologies with military applications have always been misused because there has been someone willing to take global risks for personal power. To them it may seem easier to destroy than defend. Ever since the invention of nuclear weapons, offensive technology has been overwhelmingly more powerful than defensive technology. This tends to remain true - unless a new technology can defend against nuclear weapons produced and augmented by that technology. Technological Singularity is only a theoretical point where the advancement of knowledge, technology and science create an explosion of rapid growth and further advancement in a  feedback loop. Potentially that might change civilization, and perhaps human nature as we have known it. But Psychological Singularity is more like solidarity, the realization and acceptance that words, thoughts, emotions, and actions are forms of energy. All you do, think say and feel carries, creates and projects energy. Fear is destructive energy. Love (compassion) is constructive energy, the gateway to spiritual consciousness. What is human nature? Human nature, to a cognitive engineer, is a thing that can be changed. So we come back to the question of intelligence. Emotional intelligence surpasses the processing of intelligent data. The point to remember, is that abstract, non-material variables, such as intelligence, information, or innovation, aren't subjected to the same "limits to growth" which characterize the exhaustion of finite resources. Such variables could conceivably reach values which for all practical purposes may be called "infinite". When water vapor rises to form clouds, it is nebulous. Then it falls as rain or snow and each droplet or snowflake seems unique or at least separate. While water in a lake or ocean is generic water - is not differentiated except in its qualities such as being wet rather than dry. There are oceans (plural) but OCEAN is a word representing a kind of singularity. Individuals are like drops of water, but together they become a mighty ocean. The wisdom traditions have invariably addressed or approached humanity as a transcendent singularity. Metaphysical or spiritual singularity is the understanding that we are pure energy. In fact, everything is energy and vibration. Since energy is electrical in nature, it is also magnetic. As with music, resonances are harmonious or dissonant. The word vibration is an over-simplification of magnetic resonance. A Scientific Establishment whose narrow-minded brand of scientific materialism has hardened into greed, means that machinery merely helps a few to ride the backs of millions. We must come together to spread a message of unity and solidarity, as visionaries focused on the creation of positive cultural elements that release the innate unity in all human beings. The concentration of wealth in the hands of the corrupt requires people to stand up to fight for support of public education, good jobs, secure communities and an enduring democracy. We live to change the face of history so that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. We Are One From The Lion King lyrics by Marty Panzer & Mark Feldman As you go through life you'll see There is so much that we Don't understand And the only thing we know Is things don't always go The way we planned But you'll see every day That we'll never turn away When it seems all your dreams come undone We will stand by your side Filled with hope and filled with pride We are more than we are We are one If there's so much I must be Can I still just be me The way I am? Can I trust in my own heart Or am I just one part Of some big plan? Even those who are gone Are with us as we go on Your journey has only begun Tears of pain, tears of joy One thing nothing can destroy Is our pride, deep inside We are one We are one, you and I We are like the earth and sky One family under the sun All the wisdom to lead All the courage that you need You will find when you see We are one