There is a controversy in the tech world about a set of theories called the Sigularity. A self proclaimed (to be fair some others also believe him to be pretty smart) guy named Ray Kurzweil has argued that the linkage of biological and computer evolution is inevitable and ultimately when computing power gets fast enough (and he thinks that will come soon) it will be impossible to tell human from machine.
In last month's wired Kurzweil was profiled. In the letters section in this month the following letter just about expresses my sentiments about the theory.
My IQ is probably lower than Ray Kurzweil's (Staying Alive Issue 16.04). Maybe that's why I can't follow his reasoning on achieving immortality. He seems to be saying that once a computer can cycle quickly enough, it will stop being an adding machine and become a sentient being. Does Kurzweil also believe that once a knitting machine makes enough mittens, it will turn into his grandmother?
Peter K. Sampson
Portland Maine
My thanks to Mr. Sampson
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