Vernor Vinge, who coined the term “Singularity” to refer to an upcoming point in technological development we cannot see past until we reach it (or are at least a lot closer to it) considers the arguments of those who claim this will never happen. He then explores what the alternatives would look like.
Defending the liberal tradition in history, science, and philosophy.
Support Dean’s World
{ 2 comments }
I don’t know that saying he "coined" the term is correct here. Â "Singularity" also refers to the point in a black hole where all the mass is concentrated. Â There are other uses as well, but this is the most common one I know.At any rate, it would seem he applied the term here, but did not coin it.Sorry for being anal…
He was the one who came up with using it to describe the point in technological growth where we cannot predict what will happen until we arrive there. He’s the one who applied it to that concept, and I only find it annoying because so many people latch on to the word to make fun of it and make it seem cultish, rather than something we should be thinking about as soon as possible.
Comments on this entry are closed.