The Singularity

The Singularity is an interesting idea. In a nutshell, it states that technologically change is increasing at an exponential rate and that there will reach a point when people at the forefront of change will be incomprehensible to people not keeping up. Certainly, no one can deny that technology has been changing at a rapid rate and that the rate itself is increasing. There are lots of people who are currently being left behind by those of us who use the Internet and other digital media. However, whether this will actually result in a singularity is still in doubt. One of the most passionate proponents of this idea is a Vernor Vinge. His essay describes possible paths to a singularity. He has lead a new wave of science fiction dealing with this issue (see Charlie Stross and Ken MacLeod for other authors investigating the singularity).

I still have to admit that this may all be wishful thinking. In particular, science fiction dealing with singularities often portray the result of a singularity as god-like beings that are inscrutable to baseline humans. Calling the singularity a "rapture for nerds" is, I have to admit, a fair criticism.