Consensus Reality

 

“Dad, what if our life is actually just a dream?” – Ethan Gabler, age 5

Out of the blue my son asked that question last night, incidentally as I was helping him clean his butt and I guess he felt the need to make some small talk. “Then, this life isn’t real” he proceeded to say.  How do you respond to that? I just answered with another question – “What happens when we wake up?” and we quickly moved on to something else.

I could have asked him, “how do we know anything is real?” Or, “what about all the things we experience could possibly not be real?” And, “what factors could influence our perception of what is real?” Is it just the chemicals in our brains, or could there be other influences altering our reality with deliberate intention?

Had me and my 5 year old continued this discussion I would have referred him to a 1993 essay written by our author titled, The Coming Technological Singularity: How to Survive in the Post-Human Era

A prediction.

By 2030, we will have the technological means to create superhuman intelligence. Shortly after, the human era will be ended.

Is such progress avoidable? If not to be avoided, can events be guided so that we may survive?  These questions must be investigated. Some possible answers (and some further dangers) are sure to be discovered.

What is The Singularity?

Progress in computer hardware has followed an amazingly steady curve in the last few decades. Based largely on this trend, the creation of greater than human intelligence is inevitable

·      - The development of computers that are "awake" and superhumanly intelligent.

·       -  Large computer networks (and their associated users) may "wake up" as a superhumanly intelligent entity.

·      -   Computer/human interfaces may become so intimate that users may reasonably be considered superhumanly intelligent.

·        -  Biological science may find ways to improve upon the natural human intellect.

What are the consequences of this event?

It is more probable than not that, within the twentieth century, an ultraintelligent machine will be built and that it will be the last invention that man need make.

It is a point where our models must be discarded and a new reality rules. As we move closer and closer to this point, it will loom vaster and vaster over human affairs till the notion becomes a commonplace. Yet when it finally happens it may still be a great surprise and a greater unknown.

But this does not pursue its most disturbing consequences. Any intelligent machine of this sort would not be humankind's "tool" -- any more than humans are the tools of rabbits or robins or chimpanzees.

Can the Singularity be Avoided?

Well, maybe it won't happen at all. But if the technological Singularity can happen, it will

If the Singularity cannot be prevented or confined, just how bad could the Post-Human era be?

Well ... pretty bad. The physical extinction of the human race is one possibility. Yet physical extinction may not be the scariest possibility.

 

After reading the full essay to my son in bite size pieces before bed every night over the course of 2 weeks, I would then start reading him our next Hugo award winning novel, written by the same author as the essay. I would read it one chapter at a time each night before bed, before he would close his eyes and enter his own alternate reality. This book would describe a new information age in which the virtual and the real are a seamless continuum, layers of reality built on digital views seen by a single person or millions, depending on your choice. A consensus reality, made possible by the singularity. 

Post #2 - Not So Sweet  Stories 
Some of us were able to visit Danny Love’s (MOP Name) gravesite. We read a brief passage and saluted Danny with an Irish Whiskey. Danny brought to life the adage: Pride makes us artificial- humility makes us real.

The book- eight short stories by Poe, presents hard to imagine situations in a vernacular that is likewise difficult to stay with at times. Truth be told, we’re gonna come across a crapload of strange and unfamiliar words in Poe’s 19th century prose. I suggest circling the words you don’t know in every story. I think we’ll be surprised at the total for men of our cerebral girth. Take solace in how frustrating, how overwhelming, it would be for a Commoner to plough through these stories.

I’m guessing our discussion will venture to Poe the man as much as to his stories. The circumstances surrounding his life, the choices he made, his behavior and attitude throughout his rather pitiful life are as much filled with mystery as his stories. So - which story did you find most interesting? I wonder if we’ll all have a different favorite? 

Here’s some details on our Friday evening at the Farmhouse. We’ll gather around 7:00 and hopefully take advantage of pleasant Spring weather. We’ll begin with an aperitif before we put on a feedbag reminiscence of 19th century fare Edgar would have partook. We’ll retire to the veranda where a smoke and libations will help us lower the drawbridge and enter Poe’s troubled soul. As the dwindling light of day concedes to the darkness of night, perhaps the spirit of Poe will engage with us? Maybe we’ll begin to understand some of Poe’s memorable expressions: “Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality.” 

If warranted their will be a small libation to close the evening’s discussion and bid Edgar Allen Poe goodnight, recalling his words again:

 “Sleep, those little slices of death; Oh how I loathe them.”  

I remain forever,

Pompous de la Pundit 

Short but Not Sweet Stories

 Our “guy” for this book selection is known by commoners and yet arguably remains as much a mystery man today as he was two centuries ago. He is credited with stylizing the “short story” as we know it today.  His prose is gonna be challenging. People back in the good ol’ days used forgotten words and expressions that have long since been Americanized or disregarded. Although he has no literary comparison, Stephen the King may best travel along his literary footpath today. You can surmise to your own fancy.

Here’s why I chose this book of 8 short stories. They are short and should accommodate everyone’s reading time allotment. The style of prose is different from anything else we’ve read; 19th century vernacular. Our man is a classic, sorta like us. The stories are chilling, cold, intriguing, and morbid. I’ll stop there but could go on and on. I think the tales will offer us a smorgasbord of discussion material. The stories pry into the depth of a man’s soul when darkness enters, basically the 7 count’em deadly sins. Maybe the short stories and discussion will test our own values when arbitrated with mindful considerations and undisciplined truth we pursue. 

As an aside, I am planning a brief visit to Danny Love’s (MOP Name) gravesite at Gates of Heaven sometime next week -  either on St Patrick’s Day or Saturday the 20th. Based on the books I know Danny read I think he’d really like this one. And St Patrick’s Day was very special to him and his family. Maybe we can arrange a time to meet either there or I’ll be happy to drive anyone from our house. Since I’m on a fixed income my schedule is very flexible. Just kindly let me know.

Btw, I have a copy of the book for everyone. So you don’t have to scratch your head too hard. 

I Remain,

Pompous de la Pundit