Which Singularity?

I had occasion to skim the first chapter of Raymond Kurzweil’s book The Singularity is Near (Viking Press, 2005). (You can read it here).

He is kind enough to tell us his project: “This book will argue, however, that within several decades information-based technologies will encompass all human knowledge and proficiency, ultimately including the pattern-recognition powers, problem-solving skills, and emotional and moral intelligence of the human brain itself” (The Singularity is Near, page 2)

He points to the rapid growth of human technology which he claims is proceeding at an exponential rate. Kurzweil foresees a merging of humans and machines in an event he calls the Singularity. He explains “The Singularity will represent the culmination of the merger of our biological thinking existence with our technology, resulting in a world that is still human but that transcends our biological roots. There will be no distinction, post-Singularity, between human and machine or between physical and virtual reality.” (pg 3)

For my purposes I am less interested in the first fusion he anticipates (“between human and machine”) than the second (“between physical and virtual reality”).

The screen of the computer defines the world of the computer for users. We see files as represented by little icons inside manila folders. Programs wait to be summoned behind colorful icons. The OS interface creates for us the virtual world of the computer.

But some system interfaces provide a layer of interface with the physical world (as opposed to the virtual world inside your computer). Consider barcode apps. Suddenly the book in front of you is has a review attached to it, a plot summary, prices of the same items nearby. It’s as if the app is providing an interface to the book. Your experience of the physical book is richer because of this new interface.

It may be that we will soon see a fundamental fusion between human and machine (though I have my doubts). But I’m interested in seeing what is possible in providing virtual interfaces to the physical world.