The End of the Beginning: Life, Society and Economy on the Brink of the Singularity

by Ben Goertzel (editor), Ted Goertzel (Editor)

A deep, diverse edited volume addressing the most critical issues regarding the future of humanity and intelligence -- with chapters authored by a who's-who of leading futurist thinkers and doers.

According to Vernor Vinge, Ray Kurzweil and a rapidly increasing chorus of techno-futurists, we are living on the brink of a technological Singularity — a time when machines will become vastly more intelligent than humans. In such a scenario, death, disease and everyday material scarcity will be radically diminished, and life will be dramatically different in many other ways.

But what will the path to this amazing future look like? How will human life grow and unfold as technology advances and Singularity approaches? The chapters in this book approach this issue from the perspectives of multiple visionary authors from around the globe, covering topics such as the impact of life extension, the future of money and exchange, the future of human psychology, biological self-modification, intelligence enhancement, automation and escalating unemployment, the possibility of global war between pro and anti technology forces, the impact of future technology on Asia and Africa, the emerging Global Brain, the future of surveillance and privacy, and much more.

There are no easy or definite answers here — but lots of fascinating questions to explore.

CONTENTS

Genres: Philosophy, Artificial Intelligence

739 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 9, 2015

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's a long slog through a bunch of futurist fantasies, without much payoff.

[Peter Dickson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth a read, although heavy going in places. Does get you thinking outside the box though.

[Dekel Persi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed and though provoking account of possible futures.