Bill Joys article titled "Why The Future
Doesn't Need Us," is a look at one man's fears about the future of
computers and robots taking over humanity. He writes of much of the
technology with a passion, and seems to find the good, and the bad in all of it.
I personally do not feel the way Bill Joy does, that computers and technology
are going to destroy humanity.....GNR is genetics, nanotechnology and
robotics. Self Replication is a concern from Joy, where he relates it as
the modus operandi of genetic engineering. Self Replication by his
definition is the process by which a machine uses it cells to replicate it's
designs. It would be like machines cloning themselves, which is a scary
thought! Genetic research allows us to do a great deal of good in
humanity, but there are those researchers that take things way too far. I
am reminded of Josef Mengele, in the "Boys From Brazil" where Mengele
tries to create perfect clones of Hitler. Obviously a terrible idea, but
one that is relevant today, as we clone sheep, animals, cells, and DNA.
Joy expresses concern over cloning crops and food, and stronger immune systems,
as we can build up an immunity to things, and ultimately wipe out the
world. Nanotechnology exists for a purpose, there are many positive areas
that it impacts. Joy said that within 20 years, nanotechnology will be
where individual molecules are circuit elements, and be very profitable for the
manufacturers. I think it will be good to help disease, and other things
that we need to zoom in on and repair. Robotics have been around for a
long time, and are pretty much involved in every manufacturing plant in the
world to some degree. We see them in auto manufacturing, on assembly
lines all over the world, and they perform a valuable service. They are
generally perfect with their calculations, and help produce more products,
faster. I think Joys fears of being able to put our thoughts into an
artificial intelligence, or robot is somewhere in the future, but is it
something to fear? I personally feel that GNR is not something to fear. I
feel that we as humans have always feared the future, and the takeover of
technology. I think we hide behind our fears, and try and hold things
back sometimes, because we are afraid to watch the world grow. Our
paradigms of the old world, have shifted. Traditions are failing, and the
world is passing the older generations by at blinding speed. All of these
things that he speaks of are aiding the world, and most of it he admits.
There always seem to be a passion for the technology, but a fear of how man
kind will use it. I do not fear the future, I look forward to it. I
think that Bill Joy is a Kill Joy.....
Hahaha Bill Joy is a Kill Joy, that's really clever. I think you bring up some very valid points. I really like what you said at the end - how most people who fear technology or progression for that matter, only fear how mankind will use it. I'd like to be optimistic about our future with technology too, as long as it doesn't fall in the wrong hands or out of our control. Great thoughts!
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