Transhumanism

Approaching the Singularity

 

One of my daily activities is checking out movie trailers on YouTube. I'm always looking to see what new science fiction might be coming out. I'm not really so interested in 'Space Opera' or 'Monster of the Week'; my interest is more in seeing some credible speculation on what the future just might have waiting for us. Recently I saw a trailer for a movie that might be hitting close to home sooner than we think.

 

 



Transcendence

 

 

The idea of merging human intelligence with machines is nothing new. I think I first read a novel featuring it in 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson.

 

 

Neuromancer by William Gibson

 

 

I eventually met William Gibson at a book signing in a science fiction and fantasy bookstore in 'Dinkytown' outside the University of Minnesota Minneapolis Campus. I remember somebody asking him where he got his ideas from and he told about how he was given a tour of the campus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and to talk with some of the students there. He stated that it didn't matter how crazy an idea might sound, with the right motivation, dedication and determination some bright mind could and would achieve it.

 

The fact of the matter is there are already people working on merging human intelligence with machines.

 



Ray Kurzweil and the 'Singularity'

 

 

Let's get Michio Kaku's take on some of this.

 

 

Now this gets me thinking about what would happen if you transfer your conscious mind into a machine? Let me take this a step further, rather than put yourself inside some wire and metal robot what if you moved yourself into a virtual world similar to Second Life?

 

What if you were given the chance to trade your frail and imperfect human 'meat' body for a self-aware computer program? You could actually live in a virtual reality. How many of you would do it?

 

While you think about that question just remember there are people working on actually doing it...

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 



 

 

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean somebody isn't out to get you!

Spy Lady Kwai

"Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean somebody isn't out to get you..."

The next time you log into Second Life you might want to be looking over your virtual shoulder a bit more often. It looks like we all might be under surveillance.

 

The NSA might be watching you!

 

I'll be honest with you; I really have a hard time trusting the United States government lately. Don't get me wrong, I've got incredible faith in the patriotism and dedication of most of the people serving in our military and civil agencies. What I have a real problem with is many of the politicians calling the shots on this. One day it might be protective surveillance, the next day it can be the New Police State.

 

So the next time you're in that sex sim pounding pixels and caught up in the cyber madness of your hot, throbbing monkey love think twice about what you blurt out in your mindless passion.

 

Big Brother could be watching.

 

 



 





 

 

New Year's Day 2014

 

   Happy Freaking New Year to you all! The calendar had turned and the clock has struck and we are wandering into a new year like a ship sailing into a fog bank. We just never know what is going to pop up in front of us.

 

    Now 2013 was a heck of a year for me; it's done and gone now, just a lot of memories and unpaid bills. I did accomplish some things over the year. Had a life changing bit of surgery done. Lost a few people I cared about. Reconnected even more strongly with somebody I love. That was 2013, let it slide into the history books.

 

 

Kwaibebe is always along for this ride



 

  This year I have some New Year's Resolutions to live up too. For one thing, this blog is BACK. I am going to strive to update it at least weekly. Back when I had another blog called "The Booming Prairie Chicken" the updates came every Saturday. With 'Bernard's World' they'll more likely be Saturday or Sunday. It all just depends on when I'm sober.

 

 

Let's remember those things that inspire us



 



  I'll be writing about both Second Life and Real Life. I personally believe the two are intertwined with each other; the more time you spend in Second Life the more it shows up in your Real Life. I'm not going to judge whether this is a good thing or a bad thing but it definitely happens.

 

 

Marco Vey Cigars - inspiration to me



 

  I've made a lot of friends in Second Life. They'll be involved in this blog to one degree or another as well. So if you're a resident of Second Life don't be shocked if I ask you to post something or add your picture to my literary mania.

 

 

 

My Greatest Inspiration

Kwaibebe and the beautiful woman

behind Kwaibebe Kaventipovic