Why the future doesn't need us.
The study guide.
There is some background information you need to understand this essay.
You should know what genetic engineering , AI (artificial intelligence), and nanotechnology are.
Mr. Bernier will give background information in class. You will also find much info on the web.
1. Who is Ray Kurzweil ?
2. What is a LUDDITE ? What is a dystopia ?
3. Complete the following passage:
The Age of Spiritual Machines, which outlined a utopia he(Ray Kurzweil) foresaw - one in which humans gained near immortality by..........
4. What was the passage titled THE NEW LUDDITE CHALLENGE about? Who wrote it ?
5. What does Transcendent mean ?
6. Hans Moravec's book Robot: Mere Machine to Transcendent Mind has a section called The Short Run (Early 2000s) What does Moravec think will happen to humans in the future ?
7. What is a “White Plague”
Later in this section is a 7 paragraph long piece that is the heart of the entire essay, it begins on page 3 with the phrase: “Part of the answer certainly lies in our attitude toward the new”, read this carefully.
8. Why are 20th century (NBC) technologies so different than 21st-century (GNR) technologies ? (there are two main reasons)
9. Describe what the positive aspects of robotics (AI) are and the dangers it presents. How soon till its a real problem ?
10. Describe what the positive aspects of genetic engineering are and the dangers it presents. How soon till its a real problem ?
11. Describe what the positive aspects of nanotechnology are and the dangers it presents. How soon till its a real problem ?
12. What is the gray goo problem ? What might the outcome be ?
13. On the page that has "In 1947" in large print, there are two predictions about humankind’s extinction.What are the odds quoted? Do these numbers seem reasonable ?
14. What are two ways of defending ourselves ?
15. What is relinquishment ? is this a realistic solution ?
16. In what ways have the NBC technologies been controlled, how could they be applied to GNR technologies ?