As I began reading this article, I couldn't help to think that this is going to dive into another science fiction story, like all the movies that Hollywood has come out with depicting computers, robots, and technologies in general taking over the world. The author of this article, Bill Joy, appears to be a very intelligent individual. He claims he was already reading by the age of 3, which is something very hard to imagine given that I myself have a 4 year old who is just beginning to learn her letters. Not only did he begin to read early, he skipped a grade and immersed himself into books. While growing up, he was very interested in science and technologies, and excelled in mathematics. While attending the University of Michigan as an undergraduate student, he discovered computers and found something that was much more interesting. He described computers as “a machine into which you could put a program that attempted to solve a problem, after which the machine quickly checked the solution. The computer had a clear notion of correct and incorrect, true and false”.
Mr. Joy defines GNR, which stands for genetic, nanotechnology, and robotics, and is claimed to be potentially so powerful that it can spawn entire new classes of abuse and accidents. He theorizes that robots could conceivably, one day, be an upgrade to the human body, and that humans could begin to resemble robots. This is a little far fetched in my opinion. Yes, prosthetics could conceivably play a larger part in medicine, giving the opportunity to some individuals of a better standard of life, but to suggest that we may all one day become part robots is a quite improbable.
Genetic engineering is also on his road-map for what the future may hold. Crop engineering increases crop yield, and by the same token, reduces harmful pesticides. This could bring about the creation of new plants, animals, bacteria, and viruses. These changes in biological science are immense, and could bring about real change to what we consider to be life. We must determine to what extent we should explore such innovations. To me, this is a very valid concern; who knows what the limits of genetic engineering may be, or to what extent they may change life as we know it. Where is the line in the sand drawn to conclude science has gone far enough, and what governing body will govern this revolution?
The nuclear, biological, and chemical agents created in the 20th century have produced weapons of mass destruction and have primarily been the product of government and military laboratory deployment. Now that we have arrived in the 21st century, this has become commercialized as science has shown clear commercial use. Anyone can appreciate its potential for destruction. Even in today's world, the thought of such technology falling into the wrong hands is a terrifying prospect, and one that is very real.
The numerous concerns that Mr. Joy lays out are well founded. As technology marches on, and new inventions streamline our modern world, concerns as to where they may take us, and what dangers might await us are real issues that will, and must, be addressed. In the article, it referred to President Reagan's missile defense system called Star Wars, which was conjured up to protect us from our own destructive inventions. This was a shield that would reflect away any attempt by the Soviet Union to launch a nuclear attack on the United States. As we all know, this was never actually implemented, but is serves as a stern reminder of how destructive our own inventions could be, and the steps that may be necessary in the future to protect us from our own inventions.
The world and technology will continue to march on, and for each new invention, or the progression of existing technologies, there will inevitably be good and bad that arrive from both. What mankind chooses to do with those technologies is totally up to us. In my view, there is real concern for what the future may hold, and how governments will meet the challenges of these problems. But, as in anything, the hope for a better tomorrow and an improved world will, hopefully, be the outcome as we move into the future.
I think humans have been contemplating the idea of parts of us being robotic. I remember watching the Six Million Dollar Man which was based on that very idea and this series was back from the 70s and 80s. I think if we are not careful this may actually happen. That dream really has not left our minds and advancements towards it points to a very real possibility. As much as we don't want to think that it is possible, it just may be possible. I do agree with you about the genetic engineering. That is a study that needs guidelines put upon it. Serious ramifications can come of it.
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