Here’s some good news: Time magazine has discovered the Singularity. It’s a fan-boy article, but it covers a lot of interesting ground, anyway. What’s missing? Sim, massively large databases, signal processing, lots of cool stuff. The article devotes a lot of attention to Ray Kurzweil’s research on exponential curves in individual disciplines, but misses the big picture: The overall rate of change is not exponential but logarithmic. I say all the time, “They can’t enslave us if they can’t catch us.” We are fast approaching the day when it will no longer be possible even to attempt to enslave human intelligence.
Here’s some bad news: The current president of the National Association of Realtors is either a clueless dupe or a knowing villain — just like all the other grand poobahs of the NAR. I’ve invited him to come talk to us. Don’t hold your breath waiting for him to show up.
Here’s some good news from my house: I resumed lifting weights on Monday, two months after I cracked up my elbow. I could tell from other activity that I hadn’t lost much in strength, so I left the plates where I had had them. On Monday, I did ten repetitions of ten exercises. Fifteen reps on Tuesday, 20 on Wednesday, then 30 today. Not much pain in my elbow, and less every day. I’m at full extension, and maybe 98% of full compression. The only real pain is in the tendons of my left thumb — the guitar tendons. In a week, I’ll be back to 50 reps of each exercise, which is where I was before I fell.
And here’s the best news I saw today: The iPad 2 is coming soon, and the iPad 3 may not be far behind. I’m annoyed that the Verizon deal wasn’t for Verizon’s pretend 4g network, and I’m annoyed that there is no true 4g wireless service in Phoenix yet. But, as soon as I can afford to, I’m going to move all of my email to an iPad. I simply cannot be away from my email for hours at a time, and I’m not happy with either my laptop or my iPhone as full-time email machines. For all the wannabe iPad cloners out there, what will get me to look your way? All the connectivity, one-fourth the price. You will not compete with Apple at Apple’s price point.
Here’s my take, today and always:
Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and tho’
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are,–
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
–Alfred Lord Tennyson, Ulysses
Bad news is just so much noise. It’s good — moral goodness — that moves the earth.
Ryan says:
Post title had this ringing in me ears almost immediately: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LliTqJNKJrM.
(My guitar tendons starting acting up recently too… can’t tell if it’s the increased guitar playing or the post vasectomy race to 25)
February 10, 2011 — 2:20 pm
Al Lorenz says:
I’m just imagining my daughter in a logarithmically expanding information age. It will be a wonder.
Congratulations on your very impressive recovery.
In my part of the country, it warmed up and the sun came out before your post with the flowers had all my clients moving to Phoenix.
My expectation from the NAR is only that they will stay in character, as they continue to do.
Thanks!
February 10, 2011 — 5:15 pm
Greg Swann says:
> Thanks!
Same to you, Al. The sun can take a day off when the world is lit by your smile.
February 10, 2011 — 5:19 pm
Sean Purcell says:
Greg, great to hear you are healing and even greater to hear that you’ve recommitted to your physical health. As a long-time athete (read: aging), allow me to suggest a little different workout. Fifty reps of anything is a lofty goal but an inefficient use of time and worse, not a terribly productive form of workout.
After years and years of doing workouts, the little voice inside grew louder, telling me there was something not… quite… right; whether I was pumping iron or enduring long runs. Then I discovered CrossFit. As soon as I allowed myself to let go of 35 years of coaching/training and actually try this concept, I knew intuitively that it was right. Natural, healthy and extremely productive. Nothing changes my body faster and believe me, I know something about the subject.
Check the web-site. If you’re like me you’ll have to start with greatly reduced workouts, but they even have those written up on the site. They are free and web based: two aspects I’m sure you’ll enjoy.
Continued good health!
February 11, 2011 — 9:56 pm
Teri Lussier says:
My son was discussing the Singularity at dinner this evening. Bringing up a very interesting issue- the economy. It would become unnecessary he believes. Also, he thinks individuality would increase as you would not need other people for skills or knowledge. Fascinating conversation at any rate.
February 14, 2011 — 5:33 pm
Greg Swann says:
> It would become unnecessary he believes.
It could, if you can imagine human consciousness without corporeal bodies. No more crime or government, either: You can’t coerce what you can’t touch. Not every argument for the singularity postulates new laws of physics, though. 😉
Marooned in Real Time by Vernor Vinge is a fun exploration of the singularity in science fiction. Vinge is a libertarian, so the book could be double the fun for Jack.
February 14, 2011 — 6:52 pm
StupendousMan says:
Greg,
Another great book about a post scarcity/sigularity society is The Golden Age by John C. Wright. Accelerando, by Charles Stross is excellent as well.
February 16, 2011 — 8:50 am