The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology
by: Ray Kurzweil
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For over three decades, Ray Kurzweil has been one of the most respected and provocative advocates of the role of technology in our future. In his classic The Age of Spiritual Machines, he argued that computers would soon rival the full range of human intelligence at its best. Now he examines the next step in this inexorable evolutionary process: the union of human and machine, in which the knowledge and skills embedded in our brains will be combined with the vastly greater capacity, speed, and knowledge-sharing ability of our creations.
For over three decades, Ray Kurzweil has been one of the most respected and provocative advocates of the role of technology in our future. In his classic The Age of Spiritual Machines, he argued that computers would soon rival the full range of human intelligence at its best. Now he examines the next step in this inexorable evolutionary process: the union of human and machine, in which the knowledge and skills embedded in our brains will be combined with the vastly greater capacity, speed, and knowledge-sharing ability of our creations.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- The Singularity
As a true Futurist , Ray Kurzweil really reaches out to the future of knowledge and AI.His predictions that computers will increasingly take over routine human functions ends up where computers will outstrip humans by 2030. It sounds a bit daunting but fear not computers will be made safe until one named HAL comes along sometime later.
His chart showing how the rate of change is accellerating is right on target. Unfortunately global warming could fall into that prediction. ... Read More
Rating: - Insightful, but not gripping
Very interesting. Author has thought a lot about the topic -- not just surface-level hype that is so common nowadays. But the text drags in some chapters. I'd like to see around 100 of the 500 pages cut out.
Rating: - Really makes you wonder
Brilliant is the best word to describe this work. Kurzweil has brought the future into something of a focus with this amazing look into the future. What really makes this work is that you can't 'see' exactly what the future will be even though he brings you further along than you have been. We can't see past the singularity - it will be something amazing - but we cannot truly conceive of what will be.
This will change the way you view our world and the future of our race.
Rating: - upon reading it a second time...
In my opinion, this is an exceptional book.I was astonished to read some of the criticisms it has received on amazon.com.I truly could not put this book down.The depth of the subjects covered is great.For anyone who is interested in futurism, this should be on your bookshelf.
First of all, the author is an extremely accomplished man.Chances are you use one of his inventions everyday.Kurzweil was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, received thirteen--yes, thirteen ... Read More
Rating: - Excellent Roadmap of the Potential Future
Excellent description of how the universe seems to be progressing from the simpler to the more complex.
Perhaps, also a metaphor of how what age we live in changes our perspective of how we view the evolution of the universe and the intelligence that is spawned.
In the old industrial era, it was thought that civilization would increase it's usage of energy, building Dyson spheres.
In the new information age, it seems that the vision is about a "Singularity Wave" ... Read More
- The SingularityAs a true Futurist , Ray Kurzweil really reaches out to the future of knowledge and AI.His predictions that computers will increasingly take over routine human functions ends up where computers will outstrip humans by 2030. It sounds a bit daunting but fear not computers will be made safe until one named HAL comes along sometime later.
His chart showing how the rate of change is accellerating is right on target. Unfortunately global warming could fall into that prediction. ... Read More
- Insightful, but not grippingVery interesting. Author has thought a lot about the topic -- not just surface-level hype that is so common nowadays. But the text drags in some chapters. I'd like to see around 100 of the 500 pages cut out.
- Really makes you wonderBrilliant is the best word to describe this work. Kurzweil has brought the future into something of a focus with this amazing look into the future. What really makes this work is that you can't 'see' exactly what the future will be even though he brings you further along than you have been. We can't see past the singularity - it will be something amazing - but we cannot truly conceive of what will be.
This will change the way you view our world and the future of our race.
- upon reading it a second time...In my opinion, this is an exceptional book.I was astonished to read some of the criticisms it has received on amazon.com.I truly could not put this book down.The depth of the subjects covered is great.For anyone who is interested in futurism, this should be on your bookshelf.
First of all, the author is an extremely accomplished man.Chances are you use one of his inventions everyday.Kurzweil was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, received thirteen--yes, thirteen ... Read More
- Excellent Roadmap of the Potential FutureExcellent description of how the universe seems to be progressing from the simpler to the more complex.
Perhaps, also a metaphor of how what age we live in changes our perspective of how we view the evolution of the universe and the intelligence that is spawned.
In the old industrial era, it was thought that civilization would increase it's usage of energy, building Dyson spheres.
In the new information age, it seems that the vision is about a "Singularity Wave" ... Read More
