Review - The Singularity is Near

Home Authors Books Subjects Events Software Features Links Newsletter Gifts Blog Write Review What's New

Review - The Singularity is near - Ray Kurzweil

Subtitled "when humans transcend biology", software entrepreneur, futurologist and life extension enthusiast Ray Kurzweil's book is a heavy tome with a powerful message. Technology is advancing exponentially. Within the next 40 years, he expects that human life will be pretty well definitely extended, and that a combination of biological developments, nanotechnology and computing power will see human beings being converted into version 2.0 - a whole new being. This point in time, when technologies converge to enable us to become something more is known as the Singularity, after an idea from the 1980s by Vernor Vinge.

In principle this is a fascinating topic, but Kurzweil's book makes heavy weather of exploring it. He blasts us with relentless graph after graph showing trends. He cuts in cutely little imaginary conversations. And he goes on, and on for getting on for 500 pages.

Considering just how much there is in here, Kurzweil can be quite skimpy with facts. In summarizing the progress we've made in robotics you would think multi-capable robots were lining up ready to take on most human tasks. In fact, in 2004, when DARPA arranged a race for robot off road vehicles - all they had to do was cross rough terrain for around 130 miles - none of them survived. In fact the best of the managed just over seven miles before bursting into flames. Another fell over on the start line. This is not the sort of technology that is mature enough to change our future any time soon.

Some of the points here are excellent, but the whole presentation makes it less than readable. One of the best bits was a chapter listing all the arguments against the Singularity (though missing some of the crucial ones), then shooting them down - and even this wasn't entirely convincing. Worth reading because it's an interesting topic, but it could have been a much better book.

Also in hardback:

Reviewed by Brian Clegg

DISCLAIMERS

This site has no connection with Popular Science magazine or other sites and publications with a similar name.

Much of the content of this site is written by popular science writers or friends of popular science writers. Inevitably many of the reviews in such a small community are written by or about someone we know. We always aim to be impartial in our reviews, but there is a connection which we need make clear, as there is no intention to deceive. The content of any review or article is solely the opinion of the author and should not be read or understood on any other basis. The site exists to promote popular science writing and popular science authors and for this reason should be considered promotional material, just as the editorial reviews in an online bookshop or the blurb on the back of a book should be considered promotional.

The website should not be eaten or used where it can come into contact with water.

Disagree with our review? Want to comment on a feature? Contact us at info@ popularscience.co.uk - have your say!

Part of the site