#3: "The Future, and You."
Our wacky rocket's third destination: What does the future hold? Are the sci-fi visions of technology like AGI possible? How are we to place ourselves in the face of such change?
Some fun predictions you may not be aware of:
SpaceX aims to land a human on Mars by 2024; Potential Mars base by 2030. [1];[2]
With the possibility of a whole new world to live on, how will our relationship with Earth change? Our spiritual perspectives, our economic ones?
Artificial Intelligence indistinguishable from human consciousness (AGI) viable as early as 2030. [3]
Aka, 'The Singularity', where AI is able to exponentially self-improve far beyond our own intelligence. How will this force us to change our perspective on consciousness? Would AGI be 'stable'? Friendly or hostile?
Global social collapse caused by climate change has been forecasted for 2050 at the current rate. [4]
We're likely all familiar with the projections of climate change, but little public discussion is made over the very real threat of feedback systems triggering global collapse; what are our obligations? How should we live with this possibility?
Our population is projected to reach ~11 billion by 2100. [5]
If we make it that far, how would you like to share your space with +30% more people? How do our political systems and our relationship with our environment need to change?
All the while, our rate of technological growth and track record for progress suggests the greatest change is likely still hidden from view. [6]
Less than 20 years ago, I would never have guessed the world would revolve around our phones; less than a year ago, I had no idea the world would be locked down by a virus. What can't we see? How do we live with the potential for extreme unknowns?
Asides from this list, there's things like cybernetic enhancements (with Musk's mind-computer interface Neuralink debuting a couple of weeks ago), nanotechnology enhancing or mass-murdering life, medical advances with the potential to increase life indefinitely... The list goes on; for further reading Tegmark's Future of Life Institute and Oxford's Future of Humanity Institute make good starting places.
With these in mind, this month we'll be considering the implications of such vast changes at all scales, be it political, personal, cultural, economical, or otherwise.
We want to hear your responses - as art, as words, on the blog, in comments, or privately to me (see here!) - to questions like these:
What do you think life will be like in 2050? 2100?
What do you want life to be like?
How likely do you think the above predictions are?
What would (will?) a world with hyper-intelligent AI be like?
How do these leviathan possibilities of our future affect our present choices, as individuals? How should they affect them?
What sort of personal/social skills will we need to stay grounded as a global community?
As ever, please please please, if this topic interests you in any way, and you have absolutely anything to contribute that might help broaden the horizons of this discussion, get in touch via the Contribute page or comment below.
I look forward to hearing what you all have to offer,
King x
P.S.: Don't forget to subscribe if you don't want to miss out!