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Convergence: Evolution to Singularity

Evolution pervades all existence, from cosmology to biology to technology. It is curious that Moore's Law has such a definite and accurate timeline. Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, could hardly present so accurate a prediction himself, but that may be because he primarily operated within biology and may not have known how evolution was so applicable outside his realm of expertise. Biology, of course, is completely dependent upon individual change being passed on and adopted by species either through reproduction or by mimicry. 

In contrast, Moore's Law and, by extension, convergence, rely upon several concentrated efforts toward a common, and mutually beneficial goal: greater tech to spread the world over. That is not to say that technology developments are not competitive, but rather that life and death are not at stake. Adapting someone else tech and then expanding it would not be quite as unforgivable as learning one man's method for farming, developing it further and then stealing his field. Technology developments and the expansive space of the World Wide Web when combined with an increase in population and capital leads mostly to a greater number of opportunities, without stepping on someone else's toes, but I'm sure that many cutthroats run amuck.  

The biggest foot that threatens seems to be the technological foot itself. What happens if the tech develops itself and leaves us behind? Although some "experts" scoff at the idea, others gawk in exasperation and fear. What if?.... what if, indeed. 

Something that definitely sets technological development apart from biological or any natural, meaning not manmade, evolutionary development is the way that the separate pieces can converge, coming together to create something new, and in record time. A doubling of whatever level, whether software or hardware, in but two years, can be frightening if not amazing, simply because it clearly surpasses the rate of human evolution. If the artificial intelligence were to reach singularity, then would man ever be capable of catching up? According to the interpretation of the intersection of Moore’s Law and Darwin, well, no. And that is truly frightening. Convergence would then allow tech to continue adopting other forms of itself and expanding double.


However, if singularity is truly outside possibility, then convergence and Moore’s Law will continue to offer greater and more grand possibilities for mankind provided that mankind can utilize this tech without exhausted the world’s resources. Cloud computing seems particularly helpful to this development. The moment that we can truly make more out of what we already have without physically making more is the moment that we may reach salvation. 

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