tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99704500378481622.post1575251895047173153..comments2023-10-14T08:23:14.641-07:00Comments on The American Energy Crisis: Financial (and Social) (In)SecurityA Quaker in a Strange Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15425198389944137571noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99704500378481622.post-43203902085345832072013-02-11T18:42:47.495-08:002013-02-11T18:42:47.495-08:00Oil is setting records again today.
Somebody hold...Oil is setting records again today. <br />Somebody hold me! I'm afraid.<br />DashuiAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99704500378481622.post-9315529343660715802013-02-07T10:50:41.112-08:002013-02-07T10:50:41.112-08:00Even if someone could map your brain and simulate ...Even if someone could map your brain and simulate your conscience mind in a computer, it would be a separate entity. When your biological body dies your conscious mind dies with it. Your simulated mind might believe it is you, but you would be DEAD DEAD DEAD. The biological you and the electronic you could survive simultaneously, but would diverge due to differing experience. Somehow, Kurzweil misses this, or doesn't care, as having a simulation that continues after his natural death stokes his ego.<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />Coal GuyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99704500378481622.post-26939506169732448022013-02-06T08:54:03.321-08:002013-02-06T08:54:03.321-08:00I should add that Kurzweil is a genuine computer/t...I should add that Kurzweil is a genuine computer/tech genius. <br /><br />Technology is a great tool - that's what the word <i>techne</i> means in Greek, after all...<br /><br />But all tools should be used where appropriate. The future is about appropriately scaled technology.<br /><br />I'm afraid that the more complex and "magic" like technology becomes, the more it will empower Big Brother and giant corporations, and leave the rest of us as techno-peasants.<br /><br />Not all tools are neutral: beware those that are addictive or make you dependent.Jacob Gitteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10559764359800682222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99704500378481622.post-28743179504631169212013-02-04T13:49:04.200-08:002013-02-04T13:49:04.200-08:00There is not enough lithium to acheive Kurzweil...There is not enough lithium to acheive Kurzweil's dream. The old metal-hydride type batteries are too bulky so how does one store the power generated by the sun? Solar panels in space with the energy micro-waved to Earth....maybe, but once again is it sustainable? Without taking into account geo-political events. I believe the singularity is his religion. Nothing more than his unacceptance of the finality of death.Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99704500378481622.post-40070007610414267692013-02-04T11:20:59.854-08:002013-02-04T11:20:59.854-08:00As an antidote to Kurzweil's continued ravings...As an antidote to Kurzweil's continued ravings on the Singularity (he's been claiming it's on its way for years), you might want to read a critique of his type of techno-magical thinking, such as Kunstler's "Too Much Magic."<br /><br />The problem with people like Kurzweil is that they really believe that humans can somehow transcend the limitations given to all other species and beings because of our technology. It's a quasi-religious faith, and it's full of holes. Even if you could download your brain into the matrix, would you still be human? I doubt it. It would be existential suicide. I doubt that the technology he claims will convert our world into a virtual paradise will work as advertised, and even if it did, I doubt it would create heaven on earth.<br /><br />The main problem, though, is that even the matrix and nanotechnology requires energy. The physical infrastructure of the matrix requires massive inputs: something like 10-20% of all electricity usage in the USA is already used by computers and the Internet. <br /><br />I think that Kurzweil's singularity will be strangled in the cradle by peak energy, among other things. <br /><br />Final final point: the technology he lauds is also potentially so destructive, that if you care about life on earth, and not just human life, you should hope that he and his mad followers fail.Jacob Gitteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10559764359800682222noreply@blogger.com