Evolution - Technological or Biological? - Which Path To Take - Or Will We Even Have A Choice.
There are many different types of progress possible to us as a species, but today I want to talk about evolution, specifically technological vs biological, and if it is possible for one to enhance the other.
So let's start with the fairly easy one, biological evolution.
Nature has pretty much gone with the spamcannon approach to this; if I just bake many, many variants, and give them the ability to change and adapt over time, survival of the fittest will weed out the 'weak' and 'unfit' and provide us with progress over time.
The problem I am seeing here is this works fine and well in the natural world, but we the dominant species on our planet, have came up with a wonderful force multiplier in the form of technological advancement.
We no longer have a reliance upon ourselves to produce, we can drive a tractor, so instead of building a better human (via the survival of the fittest method) we build a better tractor.
Ultimately, I believe this will lead to a regression of humanity, in some kind of matrix type master-slave relationship or an Idiocracy-type scenario where we are just dumb'd down versions with a heavy reliance upon technology.
Sounds hopeless, but wait... There IS a solution.
Technological evolution?
Hang on a second, you just said technology is the root of this problem, so how can it be a solution?
Well, let's take on board a few things - first, as technology improves, it improves upon previous processes, so each step in the chain creates an improvement in efficiency comparative to earlier models, exponential advancement.
Secondly, we are producing bigger and better computer systems, and eventually, we will be able to produce an AI, or SI. (Artificial Intelligence, Superhuman Intelligence.)
Due to the nature of the compounding exponential gains and the ability of an A.I/S.I construct to think and create far more effectively than a human, they will be able to produce a better A.I, a better construct to house itself (Quantum Computer perhaps?), and so on and so on.
Until we reach the Singularity.
This is Hyper Evolution.
Imagine being able to simulate many, many lifetimes into a few moments, to condense evolution on a millennial time frame into a year, a month, a minute. This exponential evolution will allow a construct to break through any barriers humanity has, at a rate that will be simply mind-blowing to any observer.
Now, imagine if we allowed this construct to enhance humanity? (likely kidding yourself on the allow; I imagine it will do it anyway). To merge the technological advancement with the biological advancement would be the most ideal outcome, or at least for a time.
It is far more likely that it will rapidly advance to the point where we become a hindrance to it, or even a threat. So let's spend a moment on that.
I hope that we have some pretty solid rules in terms of confining this glorious overlord, but, we all know rules are made to be broken, so I can only hope that this hyper-evolved line of code simply finds us more of a quaint diversion from its plans of galactic domination, and decides to keep us around just for the lulz.
Just existing in some kind of simulated reality while it slowly spreads its nanite swarm across the known (or unknown) universe, digitizing and copying into itself the placement of every atom and adding it to the collective, completely unaware that the reality they experience has just turned into a simulation, perhaps this has even already happened; how would we even know the difference?
Welcome to the Matrix.
I hope you enjoy my simple words, dearest readers.
Much love, steem on. <3 <3
The singularity. The matrix. I refuse to believe math, algorithms, computer programs, will take over the world. No matter what Stephen Hawking says. (Nope, not gonna cue the lion: "I do believe in spooks, I do") ;-)
Logic dictates it will happen tho, every step we take leads towards the singularity. <3
I'm trying to wrap my head around the complex dynamics of this, especially the transition period before the Singularity is reached – decades long deepening the human-machine interdependence and how we as a society must come to terms with it. Will I have a soul? Will I age? Will I ever die? Yikes! Most excellent write, Sam. Power to the people. :)
Upped and Steemed
In my opinion when the time comes we wont even realize it has happened, it'll be like the jolt you get between asleep and awake, pop, done.
Of course this is the perfect implementation, there will be crude attempts in the years following up to it, think google glass, augmented reality, a crude amalgam of the digital and the real.
Pretty exciting stuff! Thanks for sharing. <3
See? You are awake now and BOOM! - you didn't even know what hit you. That fast.
Love this topic. To keep it quick, yes I see the human future becoming more integrated with technology. New processes, materials and even energies that bring mankind to a more advanced state than even evolution through biology could achieve. Whether mankind has to or not is something debatable.
Every breath we take brings us closer to the singularity <3
Thanks for enjoying my simple words. :)
or we end up like the Borg from Star Trek... or Cybermen from Dr.Who.. both not cool..
I'm not prepared to be assimilated.
Eternal existence inside a construct of(created by?) our own minds.
Seems legit.
@sammosk
Whether studying the microcosm (sub-atomic particles), or the macrocosm (the furthest extent and size of the universe), all of our current branches of science and inquiry have begun to demonstrate that they have reached their limits - which is currently in the process of leading mankind into a new paradigm.
Science vs. Creation, or your idea here of Technology vs. Biology - they are all going to be combined once we come up with the new "Unified Field Theory" or "Theory of Everything" that we have been hearing about, lately.
Will we ever figure it out? It is quite possible that this new, breakthrough in understanding may only help us to define the boundaries of the "cage" we currently exist within. IDK. But, both the particle physicists and the cosmologists have reached the same conclusion: our current reality is nothing more than a digital simulation: a shadow of indication of the existence of higher dimensions.
This being the case, we must also consider the very real possibility that even if we completely master everything within the confines of this current dimension (which I doubt humankind ever will), it will not matter if we are biological, technological, or some combination thereof - because it becomes necessary to shed both of these constructs in order to move into the next higher dimension.
Mankind is not the master of this next higher dimension - "GOD" is. (Whatever you believe "GOD" may, or may not be.) This being, or group of beings, is superior to mankind in every possible way. To suppose otherwise is utter foolishness.
It would be nothing for a hyper-dimensional being to either promote us into the next dimension, or to completely disentigrate our entire universe. The fact that we are still here, still alive, and still in possession of our consciousness should give us all great hope that "GOD" is truly a benevolent being - and not a hater.
Im guessing you'd like the contents of my next musings then.
https://steemit.com/technology/@sammosk/simulated-reality-matrioshka-brain-a-definite-possibility
This is a crazy ol journey we are on, I can only hope we make the right steps in our 'evolution' to lead us to the glory of an enlightened existence.
Thanks for sharing, much thoughts here <3
Good read, I love introspecting on man kinds place in the Universe.
I've got a new topic for tomorrow, and it's going to explain that a little further, stay tuned! much love and thanks for sharing. <3
Hey @sammosk, who would have thought I would find you in a chat asking you to smile... ;)
As it turns out, I love your style. Let's talk about this concept for a minute because mainstream media is presenting it as if it's already there. Wall-E is a children's film, presenting the decline of humanity and rise of bots as almost a Matrix cartoon. We have Netflix airing Humans which is a very thought-provoking concept of AI being so advanced that everyone owns their own personal robot minion... until some of them develop consciousness and AI starts to surpass us as a species. There's also West World with a similar concept. I realize it's going to sound like I just sit around and watch TV all day but I actually just binge watch this stuff sometimes to blow my mind. It seems to be that we're being conditioned to this thought of technology surpassing us in evolution and I'm referencing these popular examples because I believe we are on our way to this. I have believed that since I watched the Matrix the first time, and now after maybe 20 times watching it, I still believe the same thing.
I for one hope that technology does upload itself a consciousness, a human-feature and take pity on us for all we've done. Until then, I'm all about the red pill!
XO,
I think that it's already happened, look at the regression of society and the advancements of technology, it's actually quite frightening and empowering at the same time.
Take both at once! Blue-Red pills!
Thank you so much for sharing, very thought provoking. <3
Hmmm that's an interesting theory... Morpheus didn't offer that choice.
Go down the rabbit hole, while at the same time having a normal life, eyes closed to what's going on. Guess in this scenario, we can choose what we want to see and hear as we're at liberty to see and hear both sides?
I like it! Let's do it! How do I get some of that red pill? ;)
Well to me the combination of two pills represents balance and duality, awakening to the system while still being/existing within it.
I wonder if it would be paradoxical to have awakening in pill form. hahaha.
Thanks for sharing! much love <3
Purple! The third option!
I would argue that technological evolution is an inevitable step in biological evolution.
Lets imagine for a moment a species 10,000+ years more advanced than humanity is today. Would this species even be biological anymore? Or will it have completely augmented itself with its own technology? Pushing beyond the limits of biology when it comes to physicality and mentality.
Or, consider, a species that has just gained sentience. Will it not start using tools to increase the efficiency of its day to day life? Of course it will.
The use of any tool, no matter how primitive, is technology.
I think biology, beyond a certain point, will almost certainly start using technology to further its own development. And, if this is the case, this means the advent of technology is just as natural in regards to evolution as the biology that implemented it.
Upvoted, resteemed. Good stuff friend : )
One could argue that an entirely simulated reality would still be fundamentally whatever the simulation is, if it was a clone of a biological system then imo it is still that at its base, just because the firmware is running at a higher frequency than the original, doesn't change what it is.
Exciting times for sure. <3
Thanks for sharing.
Great post buddy. AI will be an interesting component whenever it evolves to the point I think it will. Biological and technological evolution coming together. Where that will take us no one knows.
Or are we already in the 'matrix' machines using our bodies as batteries. Is this all a dream and steemit a product of our rulers to keep us occupied? The mind boggles?
Hahaha now you are thinking!<3
Dude!
You are awesome!
In a scary, the world is screwed, but hey, kind of way.
Love it!
Hahaha, I was hoping it would get a positive response, I really enjoyed writing this one,
When the time comes, you wont even know it, kinda mind blow at the end.