Singularity, Where is it?

About the Book

More and more attraction is given to informational-social notion singularity. Its inevitability is dedicated the brilliant Ray Kurzweil book "The Singularity is Near, When Humans Transcend Biology". The subtitle "When Humans Transcend Biology" not exactly strict. More suitable would be "when technology remains without people". The book gives an interesting picture how the computers influence the human society. It is difficult to over estimate its value. Analysis of a serious book of six hundred pages requires even greater volume. This is not for me.

However, the main problem is not the above. The beautiful Kurzweil books have a perfect feature, for every question under discussion there are references to the best specialists of the subject. That is why one should have reasons against those specialist in addition to ones related to written in the Kurzweil book. E.g., Kurzweil supposes to enlarge the system productivity by possibility of transfer calculations in some other time. The physicists of MIT allow this as something possible. In the MIT is created a society to meet the time travelers. That is why it is needed to proof the incorrectness of the theory supported by MIT physicists.

I am sure that the part of the artificial intelligence (AI) to be strict narrow (AIn) and its influence to the society are perfectly introduced in the book. On the other hand, I have doubts about general AI (AIg).

- Is it possible? E.g., would work a computing device, which performs 1080 ops (operations per second). A steel rope has a limit for its length above which it would tear off due to its weight. The causes for limiting the computing power are many and I do not discuss all of them.

- Has the singularity any relation to the humans? I believe that this is a question of evolution of information systems in the Universe. It has nothing to do with humanity. The singularity (may be Singularity) perception speed and the human being one are so different, that it would be impossible to communicate. In addition, they would not have common interests.

- If it would be possible Singularity to appear even partially then how would behave those mighty "Golem". It would good if it self separates and would solve its own problems. It may happen that fist of all it eliminate the pernicious humanity with its nuclear arms. Why it should live in the state of balanced fear? Humanity does not allow to scorpions of bedbugs filling restaurants. It is done disinfection.

- What would prefer singularity a single being or a society of equal Singularities. From one side this may enlarge the possibility to survive. On the other hand, it may limit the population. It may enlarge the cultural level of its members and the interest for life. I am speaking about THEM as about humans. E.g. S. Lem did the same, look to "Do you exist Mr. Jones?"

This work is about such questions. After some base statements is introduced author's point of view. Then, are given reasons for supporting my point of view. Because the chapters of parts two and three were published earlier as separate essay, there are some repetitions. In this work, I want to show the limits in the discussed subject followed from nature laws. I believe that this follows from Gödel Theorem.

There were analyzed the possible limits which follow the laws of nature. There are many of such limits; the limit of solidity, every material became tired when its states are changing, the speed limit, and so on. Academician A. A. Kolmogorov supposed that computer should pas all the evolution way to get human geniuses. He did not suppose that Singularity could do this in a drop of a second.

Anyway, can we expect singularity?

About the Author

Dr. Kogan has above hundred publications and patents. His experience is in assembling and tuning of electronic systems then in designing MIS, reliable structures with testability, neural networks and genetic algorithms. Started in 1949-1950, when participated in designing, assembling, and tuning of amateur TV center and studio in Odessa Institute of Communications.

From 1958 is interested in testing of logical systems (computers and programs). First publication in test theory sent in 1959. In the USA, first work republished in 1964. Defended dissertation for Candidate of Sciences (Ph.D.) in 1964 - "Testing of Logical Systems". Defended dissertation for Doctor of Sciences in 1978 (Designing Logical Systems with Testability).

The above made him attentive to logical consistency of scientific publications. This leads to disagreement with some science ideas. As the result, in particular, appeared this booklet.

Dr. Kogan may be reached at kogani@optonline.net or 718-769-8637.