VALE: Vernor Vinge - creator of a "Technological Singularity"

VALE: Vernor Vinge - creator of a "Technological Singularity"

Author: Ampel March 22, 2024 Duration: 43:36

Science fiction legend Vernor Vinge inspired the title of this podcast - and his influence extends far beyond fiction. His novella "True Names" gave readers a first taste of the metaverse, and in a 1993 talk for NASA, Vinge described a 'technological singularity' - a time when computers get so good so fast that they 'run away' from human control. It's a scenario that haunts every big company working in AI today, possibly an element in the behind-the-scenes dynamic that got Sam Altman (briefly) fired as CEO of ChatGPT creator OpenAI in November 2023. This 2019 interview - one of his last, before his passing on 21 March 2024 - explores Vinge's thinking about 'The Singularity' - and asks what happens when a goldfish tries to talk to a human...

Over a billion seconds ago, sci-fi legend Vernor Vinge conceived of a “Technological Singularity”, when our machines outthink us. Should we worry?

Be sure to read Vernor’s 1993 paper, “The Coming Technological Singularity: How to Survive in the Post-Human Era” – it’s linked here.

A rerun of an earlier episode of The Next Billion Seconds. 

For more information about this podcast and The Next Billion Seconds, please visit https://nextbillionseconds.com. The Next Billion Seconds with Mark Pesce is produced by Ampel - https://ampel.com.au. 

Chief Audio Officer: Josh Butt
Edited by: Isabel Vanhakartano
Audio Mixed by: Carter Quinn

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Ever feel like the world is shifting beneath your feet? That's the sensation The Next Billion Seconds with Mark Pesce captures and explores. Hosted by award-winning futurist and journalist Mark Pesce, this podcast digs into the profound technological and societal transformations happening right now-at a pace humanity has never before experienced. It’s not just speculation; it’s about understanding the forces reshaping how we work, connect, and even think about value and money, so we can navigate today with more clarity. Mark has a knack for untangling complex ideas, making the dizzying rate of change feel comprehensible and, more importantly, actionable. Each episode serves as a guide, helping you piece together what’s coming next from the signals already here. For anyone curious about where science, technology, and global news are steering us, this podcast from Ampel is an essential companion. Tune in to hear thoughtful analysis that connects the dots between emerging trends and your daily decisions, all delivered with an engaging, accessible style. The future isn't a distant abstraction on this show-it's the next billion seconds, and they're already unfolding.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 50

The Next Billion Seconds with Mark Pesce
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