A surprising number of conversations with experts in human extinction end like this: with great hope. You’d think that contemplating robot extermination would make you gloomy, but it’s just the opposite. As Rees explains, “What science does is makes one aware of the marvelous potential of life ahead. And being aware of that, one is more concerned that it should not be foreclosed by screwing up during this century.” Concern over humanity’s extermination at the hands of nanobots or computers, it turns out, often conceals optimism of the kind you just don’t find in liberal arts majors. It implies a belief in a common human destiny and the transformative power of technology.
Een leuk artikel in Salon over de onderzoekinstituten Centre for the Study of Existential Risk en Future of Life Institute die zich hoofdzakelijk bezighouden met rampscenario's. Met onder andere het gezellige "gray goo" scenario. Goed sciencefictionboek over een dergelijk scenario is overigens Blood Music van Greg Bear.
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