Effective translation of natural languages comes awfully close to requiring a sentient translator program. Vernor Vinge More Quotes by Vernor Vinge More Quotes From Vernor Vinge Within thirty years, we will have the technological means to create superhuman intelligence. Shortly after, the human era will be ended. Vernor Vinge erasmeanyears We will soon create intelligences greater than our own ... When this happens, human history will have reached a kind of singularity, an intellectual transition as impenetrable as the knotted space-time at the center of a black hole, and the world will pass far beyond our understanding. Vernor Vinge blackspaceunderstanding Intelligence is the handmaiden of flexibility and change. Vernor Vinge flexibility Even the largest avalanche is triggered by small things. Vernor Vinge avalanchessmall-things Politics is good; when it works properly, disagreements get solved without people beating each other up. But when a regime knows its days are numbered, there's always the chance it may use its position to change the rules and make the debate it is losing irrelevant. Vernor Vinge usemaypeople I argue in this paper that we are on the edge of change comparable to the rise of human life on Earth. Vernor Vinge paperchangeearth The dilemma felt by science fiction writers will be perceived in other creative endeavors. Vernor Vinge creativesciencefiction But if the technological Singularity can happen, it will. Vernor Vinge singularitytechnologicalhappens If there be only hours, at least learn what there is time to learn. Vernor Vinge hoursifs I never guessed I could cry so hard my face hurt. Vernor Vinge cryhurtfaces I say, let's learn more and then speculate. Vernor Vinge Technical people don't make good slaves. Without their wholehearted cooperation, things fall apart. Vernor Vinge cooperationpeoplefall How will the approach of the Singularity spread across the human world view? Vernor Vinge approachviewsworld When I began writing science fiction in the middle 60s, it seemed very easy to find ideas that took decades to percolate into the cultural consciousness; now the lead time seems more like eighteen months. Vernor Vinge writingscienceideas So much technology, so little talent. Vernor Vinge talenttechnologylittles We're endangered by our own success. Vernor Vinge Here I had tried a straightforward extrapolation of technology, and found myself precipitated over an abyss. It's a problem we face every time we consider the creation of intelligences greater than our own. When this happens, human history will have reached a kind of singularity - a place where extrapolation breaks down and new models must be applied - and the world will pass beyond our understanding. Vernor Vinge technologyunderstandingworld Another symptom of progress toward the Singularity: ideas themselves should spread ever faster, and even the most radical will quickly become commonplace. Vernor Vinge cornyprogressideas Life is a green madness just now, trying to squeeze the last bit of warmth from the season. Vernor Vinge greenlaststrying He was guided by what he saw rather than by what he wanted to believe. Vernor Vinge sawswantedbelieve
