Author Archives: dgermann

To look back 300 years is to look across what appears an essentially linear landscape. To look forward 300 years is trying to see over an exponential hill: it is a much farther distance. Maybe we should look back 3,000 … Continue reading →

What can it mean we are about to have human-created evolution? Can we be conscious of what our created evolution is creating? Science and technology cannot help but create bigger problems: can they be our sole saviors? Are there other … Continue reading →

The muddle, uncomfortable as it is, is a required resource for growth and order. Muddle is chaos is necessary. :- Doug.

Is that the question we want? The question we need? The question that carries us the furthest in the right direction? :- Doug.

We are living into the futures. :- Doug.

Ask yourself: are stories only about the past? Are questions only about right answers? If not, what skylights does this open for the elders now and in 11 generations? :- Doug.

Thinking needs to be now. :- Doug.

Yes, I need to think. Will machines in the future actually think? Probably. Will we mesh with them? Probably. Will we notice? Probably not. Will I think, now? Probably, but will I want to? Hopefully just a little more than … Continue reading →

Just as time stands still and passes unnoticed when traveling at light speed, so enhanced intelligence will not seem fast nor unusual to those using it. :- Doug.

Computers are faster than human thinking because computers (so far) are thought machines—they travel paths already trod. Humans (some days) have to actually think, which is arduous (we don’t like it) and slow (are we there yet?). Herein a dilemma … Continue reading →

Whenever you envision a danger in a future, find a way to turn it to good. :- Doug.

Maybe one future is that some of us will become altruists as our primary work. :- Doug.

In one future education will be so important even into old age, we’ll consider the necessaries to be food, clothing, shelter, and education. :- Doug.

In the centralized regime, the kill decision goes to the commanders. In the democracies to the individual pilot. In one future to the bots and algorithms. (Why wouldn’t we—they can assimilate more information, and decide faster.) :- Doug.