The Singularity Summit - Is anyone going? Because I might not bother.

Wowbagger · 13th September 2009, 07:55 PM

I am mostly bringing this up out of morbid curiosity. But, also in part because it was advertised at one of the tables at NECSS.

Does anyone, here, happen to be attending The Singularity Summit '09, in New York City, on October 3rd and 4th?

Official Site, with lots more info, is here: http://www.singularitysummit.com/

I am only partially interested in attending this, since I have some interest in some of the topics, such as strong AI, quantum computing, and the evolution of human intellect. But, at this point I doubt I will do so, since I also have other priorities of my time, and remain somewhat skeptical of the whole general concept.

There is a small chance I might change my mind, if convincing arguments could be made, that this will be worthy of my time (and money, of course... but time is still the main issue).

If I do not go (which seems likely), then anyone who does attend could post in here, later, to tell us what it was like.

For those who don't know:
The Singularity concept seems to be a moment of time where computers will be so intelligent and sophisticated, they will shape the future of humans more than other humans, themselves. Some followers find this to be a desirable state, and seek to ennoble themselves and the current human population, to make the transition more efficient to our long term happiness. Critics refer to it as a "rapture for nerds", and find the evidence for some of its claims to be rather thin, it seems.

I have not studied this stuff to enough of a degree to comment more specifically than that. But, I hope this thread focuses more on the conference event (for good or ill) than the actual Singularity concept, itself.

Curse you, NECSS, and your insidious opportunities to bring a wide variety of other interesting events to our attention!!

athon · 13th September 2009, 08:08 PM

No, but I should have my documentary on the subject on air in the next couple of weeks. Finally.

Will post links once it's up.

Athon

Wowbagger · 16th September 2009, 08:00 AM

Well, I see this is gonna be popular....

Wowbagger · 8th October 2009, 07:52 AM

Perchance, did anyone, here, happen to go to this thing?

I know it's a longshot, but I figured I'd ask, anyway. Just in case.

I know I didn't.

Wowbagger · 8th October 2009, 11:23 PM

Hmmm... I guess not.

13th September 2009, 07:55 PM	#1
Wowbagger The Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Westchester County, NY (when not in space) Posts: 7,725	The Singularity Summit - Is anyone going? Because I might not bother. I am mostly bringing this up out of morbid curiosity. But, also in part because it was advertised at one of the tables at NECSS. Does anyone, here, happen to be attending The Singularity Summit '09, in New York City, on October 3rd and 4th? Official Site, with lots more info, is here: http://www.singularitysummit.com/ I am only partially interested in attending this, since I have some interest in some of the topics, such as strong AI, quantum computing, and the evolution of human intellect. But, at this point I doubt I will do so, since I also have other priorities of my time, and remain somewhat skeptical of the whole general concept. There is a small chance I might change my mind, if convincing arguments could be made, that this will be worthy of my time (and money, of course... but time is still the main issue). If I do not go (which seems likely), then anyone who does attend could post in here, later, to tell us what it was like. For those who don't know: The Singularity concept seems to be a moment of time where computers will be so intelligent and sophisticated, they will shape the future of humans more than other humans, themselves. Some followers find this to be a desirable state, and seek to ennoble themselves and the current human population, to make the transition more efficient to our long term happiness. Critics refer to it as a "rapture for nerds", and find the evidence for some of its claims to be rather thin, it seems. I have not studied this stuff to enough of a degree to comment more specifically than that. But, I hope this thread focuses more on the conference event (for good or ill) than the actual Singularity concept, itself. Curse you, NECSS, and your insidious opportunities to bring a wide variety of other interesting events to our attention!!
	__________________ WARNING: Phrases in this post may sound meaner than they were intended to be. SkeptiCamp NYC 2009: http://www.skepticampnyc.org/ Photos and Stuff Now Available A conference on science and skepticism where *you* could be a presenter!

13th September 2009, 08:08 PM	#2
athon Kowalski Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Upside the Inside Posts: 9,182	No, but I should have my documentary on the subject on air in the next couple of weeks. Finally. Will post links once it's up. Athon
	__________________ "Whether you're soar-away Sun, or BBC 1, misinformation is a weapon of mass destruction." 'Mass Destruction', Faithless

16th September 2009, 08:00 AM	#3
Wowbagger The Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Westchester County, NY (when not in space) Posts: 7,725	Well, I see this is gonna be popular....
	__________________ WARNING: Phrases in this post may sound meaner than they were intended to be. SkeptiCamp NYC 2009: http://www.skepticampnyc.org/ Photos and Stuff Now Available A conference on science and skepticism where *you* could be a presenter!

8th October 2009, 07:52 AM	#4
Wowbagger The Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Westchester County, NY (when not in space) Posts: 7,725	Perchance, did anyone, here, happen to go to this thing? I know it's a longshot, but I figured I'd ask, anyway. Just in case. I know I didn't.
	__________________ WARNING: Phrases in this post may sound meaner than they were intended to be. SkeptiCamp NYC 2009: http://www.skepticampnyc.org/ Photos and Stuff Now Available A conference on science and skepticism where *you* could be a presenter!

8th October 2009, 11:23 PM	#5
Wowbagger The Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Westchester County, NY (when not in space) Posts: 7,725	Hmmm... I guess not.
	__________________ WARNING: Phrases in this post may sound meaner than they were intended to be. SkeptiCamp NYC 2009: http://www.skepticampnyc.org/ Photos and Stuff Now Available A conference on science and skepticism where *you* could be a presenter!