On Singularities #6

Political convergence is a singularity.

On Singularities #5

Technology is an application of technique.  As such, it is subject to the constraints of the science upon which it is based.  By its nature, the most efficient techniques are incorporated into its design.  Technology is therefore limited by physical constraints.  Energy must therefore be expended to maintain a steadily increasing state.  Absent this impetus, environmental forces ensure that things will fall downward.  In addition, spending resources in limited directions will enable decay and disorder in those systems thus neglected.  Civilization is many intertwining systems.  Who knows which threads will cause everything to unravel or constrict?

On the other hand, absent nuclear apocalypse, no Fall need be complete.  Some strands may even be strengthened.  Some may inevitably realize what is important and what is not.  Little is total.

On Singularities #4

Commonly, there are two broad categories of scenarios that will result in singularities.  The first, which can be represented by the science fiction of Vernor Vinge, is the result of a hyper-technological society.  Basically some revolutionary technological advance will result in spontaneous evolution of humanity to the next level (whatever that might be).  The second category of scenarios ranges from the extreme of nuclear holocausts to economically and/or environmentally caused crashes of civilization.  In other words, depending on the writer, humanity will either become something more or less.

But what of neither?

On Singularities #3

Singularities may not be singular.

On Singularities #2

i. Society and culture are discarded as impediments for the furtherance of a technological society.  Who needs them?

ii. No one would actually sacrifice their lives for a technological society.  Who cares that much?

iii. A singularity may approach when one has no choice other than drowning amongst the wreckage.  Who made that choice?

iv. We did it to ourselves.  Who you calling "we?"

On Singularities #1

A singularity, to use a physics metaphor, is basically a future event or existence that is impossible to predict as this time.  The best one can hope for is to identify trends which point toward its potential existence.  As any web search will confirm, there many different ideas as to what is to be found beyond the "event horizon."  There are two main schools of thought. The first is that this singularity represents some momentous scientific and/or technical breakthrough (creation), or that is basically the decline and fall of civilization (destruction) as we currently know it.  There is also the possibility that the singularity will contain elements of both creation and destruction.  I would tend to see the latter as more likely.  It is almost always easier to destroy than to build.