Meet the scientific prophets who claim we are on the verge of creating a new type of human - a human v.2.0, in this BBC Horizon documentary. It’s predicted that by 2029 computer intelligence will equal the power of the human brain, a point of convergence referred to as the Singularity. Some believe this will revolutionize humanity - we will be able to download our minds to computers extending our lives indefinitely. Others fear this will lead to oblivion by giving rise to destructive ultra intelligent machines. Part 1 (8:10 min) introduces the Singularity and traces the history of scientific experiments on the capacity and workings of the brain.
15 Jul 08
on Jul 15th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
hmmm… no thanks. I think its our fragility and flaws that make us human. Creating super humans is an oxymoron. Why do so many of us fear mortality? I think this branch of science is completely misguided.
I am once again interested to read the Unabomber’s manifesto… a misunderstood, modern day Jesus.
on Jul 15th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
some people fear mortality, some fear technology, some fear change… it is part of the mystery and diversity of the human experience.
on Jul 16th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
very hal 9000….generally i embrace technology, but i find this concept difficult to come to terms with…part of me wants to go live in a hut on a beach somewhere to escape it, and part of me is curious to see how this all plays out… (although downloading my mind does not appeal, am not sure anyone would want to crawl around in there
) but, I’ll def pass on the manifesto… i remember reading a few pages long ago…hehe, not my cup of tea. 
on Jul 16th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I have to admit that actually downloading one’s brain does not sound that appealing but uploading information, like in the Matrix, is much more intriguing. I suspect it takes a similar set of technology but I would love to upload the ability to do kung fu, for instance. That would be pretty amazing.
on Jul 22nd, 2008 at 11:41 pm
A bit scary, but it may well be the ultimate limit we are pushing in science and humanity. Perhaps it was all meant to be this way, the final realisation of our full potentials with the end point of destroying ourselves so another cycle of humanity (albeit in another form) could begin then.
on Jul 23rd, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Yes, perhaps… that is also a pretty zen response. I like that…
There are also other possibilities though. We may co-exist with androids. They may just help us excel without the need to destroy us. Maybe if we move to a stage when we do not need to kill and destroy each other and ourselves, we will finally understand that co-existence is possible. These things have not happened yet so why not envision a positive outcome… :~)
The other possibility which you alluded to is we may integrate with androids and feel perfectly fine in our “new form”.