Technological Fantasies

At the French National Center for Scientific Research Jean Mariani and Danièle Tritsch throw cold water on transhumanism, artificial intelligence, and the larger Gold Rush to unlikely technologies:

Behind this myth, a colossal business based on economic interest is on the move. Trans-humanists are the pure product of a society in which financial potentates, banks, multinationals and political groups enjoy unfettered domination. They are busy creating a real “economics of promises ” (Yves Frégnac, Science 2017) (the notion that simply investing huge sums of money will be sufficient to vanquish disease and provide us with more efficient brains, eternal youth and immortality). Yet a number of private interest groups (Google, Facebook, Microsoft, IBM, Amazon) have recently been attempting to define “good practices” particularly with regard to the ethical questions involved.

In the face of such claims, some epistemological perspective is needed and we must be aware of our cultural bias if we are to distinguish between the effects of advertising, demiurgic promises and the reality of scientific progress. The point is not to reject out of hand all intra-cerebral implants, gene therapy, bionic prostheses or stem cell selection, but to remain vigilant about the proposed uses within our system.

I would add that another of Ray Kurzweil’s pet ideas, “the Singularity”, is looking ever more farfetched with each passing day. I don’t challenge Mr. Kurzweil’s scientific or technological acumen. I question his knowledge of history. The rate at which basic advances in science and technology are being made is slowing not accelerating. It is the rate at which exaggerated claims for science and technology are being made that is accelerating. Indeed, that’s true of all sorts of things at which a fast buck can be made.

I’d be willing to bet that one century froom today no more than 1% of Americans will be over the age of 100. Unfortunately, there’s no way I could collect on the bet.