Module
12
In Bill Joy’s article, “Why the Future Doesn’t Need Us”
it is argued that humanity will face extinction through the technology that we
will potentially create. Specifically, this
threat is highlighted in our developments in genetic engineering, nanotechnology,
and robotics (GNR). Joy explains that
the ability of these technologies to potentially self-replicate poses a threat
to humanity; therefore, he suggests that we should limit, or even put a stop to
our advancements in GNR.
Joy introduces the dangers that GNR technology can
potentially create by comparing it to the nuclear, biological, and chemical
weapons we have already created. The
development of NBC weapons were primarily for military use and their availability
is closely controlled. GNR technology is
more of a threat to mankind because it will be created commercially, and easily
accessible. The ability to use GNR as a
weapon will only require the knowledge to use it.
In the field of robotics, Joy questions the development
of artificial intelligence. If AI becomes so advance that computers are able to
think on their own robots will essentially begin to self-replicate which poses
a threat to mankind. Superior machines
can choose to extinct the human race or enslave us. Another issue that Joy raises is that humans
will use this technology and apply it to themselves to prolong their life. This is created by downloading a person’s
mind into a computer. Joy questions
whether this existence goes against humanity.
In genetic
engineering, Joy argues that humans could unintentionally or intentionally,
through the hands of terrorists, create a “White Plague”. This is a disaster in which a group of people
is selectively eradicated due to gentic manipulation.
Because of the threats that GNR technology poses, Joy
concludes that human beings must take precautions and limit the growth of this
technology, or put a stop to it altogether.
After reading the article, I think that Joy’s main
concern is that the human race will continue to develop this technology in
hopes of achieving almost near immortality.
With robotic technology, humans will not have to do as much work. Through genetic engineering, we can create
cures for diseases that were never before possible. We can also apply this technology to our
bodies to prolong our life spans. I think that because of the great reward that
GNR technology promises, humans will not take into consideration some of the
negative effects that this technology can introduce. The consequences can be catastrophic. The creation of this technology can
essentially lead to the extinction of the human race. I personally have no doubt that mankind will
achieve highly advanced artificial intelligence in which a robot can think on
its own, and this technology will pose all the risks that Joy talked about in
the article. However, I believe that
mankind will recognize the dangers of creating this technology and we will take
great measures to control the production of GNR technology to prevent a
catastrophy from happening.
The concept of human beings developing robotic technology
so advance that it threatens the existence of our species has been around for a
while. We see this plot circling around
Hollywood in a lot of movies so it’s nothing new to us. So in this sense, I think that we have
already began to take precautions against the potential risks that possessing this
kind of technology carries before we have even created it. When the time comes that this technology
exists in reality I will have all faith that we will take the necessary precautions
to ensure that this technology will not lead to our extinction.
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