The Future

"Won't be nothin' you can measure any more.
The blizzard of the world has crossed the threshhold
And overturned the order of the soul."
- Leonard Cohen, The Future

Cohen's darkest song used to seem pregnant with unfortunate truths, a bleak but accurate outlook on the spiritual development of our species. These days for me it simply forecasts something to avoid, and is a ditty to enjoy for its daring and poise. For the more I read about potential scientific developments, the stronger my optimism.

Without the time or the inclination to delve into futurism/transhumanism for the uninitiated, I thought I'd simply post a timeline of interesting events-to-come for those who need cheering up. These are not from any lunatic-fringe scientist who has read too much Timothy Leary, but no less an authority than Raymond Kurzweil, the man once described as "the rightful heir to Thomas Edison," who in the 1980s correctly predicted such diverse subjects as the growth of the internet in the 1990s (as well as broadband in the 2000s), the fall of the Soviet Union and the superceding of human chess players by computers.

Next year
- Computers to no longer be distinct physical objects. Perhaps be a part of your clothing!
- Supercomputers will have the same raw power as human brains.

2010s
- Eyeglasses that beam images onto the users' retinas to produce virtual reality to be developed.
- The VR glasses will also have built-in computers featuring "virtual assistant" programs that can help the user with various daily tasks. One useful function of the virtual assistant would be real-time language translation for the user.

2020s
- Personal computers will have the same raw power as human brains.
- Nanomachines for medical purposes such as hyperaccurate brainscans and, more impressively, "feeding" human cells, replacing the need for traditional consumption of food.
- With food consumption and therefore hunger now obsolete, the age of the cyborg begins proper.
- Virtual reality becomes indistinguishable from reality itself.
- Nanomachines eliminate threat of pathogens, eliminating disease.
- First real AI created with all the potential of the human mind.

2030s
- The paths of nanotechnology and virtual reality cross. Practical uses include functional telepathy with other humans and similar immediate interfaces with computers.
- Humans can now alter their own intelligence, personality, memories and senses at will. We choose our own paradigm shifts more effectively, potentially eliminating war.
- Humans can upload their minds completely into machines.

2040s
- Human body 3.0. What's this? It can alter its shape and external appearance at will via nanotechnology. Organs are also replaced by superior cybernetic implants.
- Virtual reality becomes more popular than reality.

2045
- The coming of the Singularity: the technological Ubermensch. AIs surpass human beings as the smartest and most capable life forms on the Earth. Technological development is taken over by the machines, who can think, act and communicate so quickly that normal humans cannot even comprehend what is going on; thus the machines, acting in concert with those humans who have evolved into humanoid androids, achieve effective world domination. The machines enter into a "runaway reaction" of self-improvement cycles, with each new generation of AIs appearing faster and faster. From this point onwards, technological advancement is explosive, under the control of the machines, and thus cannot be accurately predicted.
- Sharp distinctions between man and machine will no longer exist thanks to the existence of cybernetically enhanced humans and uploaded humans.

Post-Singularity
- Computer transistors cannot be shrunk any more. Computers become bigger to become better again. Result? Earth becomes one giant computer coexisting with natural beauty.
- Space domination begins. AIs branch out, converting the rest of the universe bit by bit from inanimate matter to intelligent artificial sentience.
- Entire universe becomes giant, highly efficient supercomputer. Abrogation of the laws of Physics, interdimensional travel, and eternal life for what was once the human race.

Or we could just all live on farms. Either way I'm happy.