Within thirty years, we will have the technological means to create superhuman intelligence. Shortly after, the human era will be ended. Vernor Vinge More Quotes by Vernor Vinge More Quotes From Vernor Vinge 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 black space understanding Intelligence is the handmaiden of flexibility and change. Vernor Vinge flexibility Even the largest avalanche is triggered by small things. Vernor Vinge avalanches small-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 use may people I argue in this paper that we are on the edge of change comparable to the rise of human life on Earth. Vernor Vinge paper change earth The dilemma felt by science fiction writers will be perceived in other creative endeavors. Vernor Vinge creative science fiction But if the technological Singularity can happen, it will. Vernor Vinge singularity technological happens If there be only hours, at least learn what there is time to learn. Vernor Vinge hours ifs I never guessed I could cry so hard my face hurt. Vernor Vinge cry hurt faces 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 cooperation people fall How will the approach of the Singularity spread across the human world view? Vernor Vinge approach views world 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 writing science ideas So much technology, so little talent. Vernor Vinge talent technology littles 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 technology understanding world Another symptom of progress toward the Singularity: ideas themselves should spread ever faster, and even the most radical will quickly become commonplace. Vernor Vinge corny progress ideas Life is a green madness just now, trying to squeeze the last bit of warmth from the season. Vernor Vinge green lasts trying He was guided by what he saw rather than by what he wanted to believe. Vernor Vinge saws wanted believe I have argued above that we cannot prevent the Singularity, that its coming is an inevitable consequence of the humans natural competitiveness and the possibilities inherent in technology. Vernor Vinge possibility technology natural
