lesson 9 Flashcards
why the future doesn’t need us
▪ Joy addresses these issues from his perspective as a computer scientist and inventor, and encourages not only other scientists, but society as a whole, to think about the unintended and possibly even fatal consequences of technology.
▪ Joy also encourages technology regulation and raises several reasons why he believes it is necessary.
what are the 3 major transformative technologies that are rapidly changing the world that Joy is focusing on
- G – Genetics:
This involves advancements in genetic engineering and biotechnology, such as CRISPR, which can manipulate the DNA of living organisms.
Concerns: Ethical issues about designer babies, genetic modification, and the potential misuse of genetic technologies.
- N – Nanotechnology:
This is the manipulation of matter at an extremely small scale, dealing with structures at the atomic or molecular level.
Concerns: The potential for unforeseen consequences when nanoscale materials interact with humans and the environment, as well as ethical concerns around surveillance and privacy.
- R – Robotics:
This involves the creation of intelligent machines capable of performing tasks usually done by humans.
Concerns: The loss of jobs to automation, as well as the ethical implications of machines making decisions in critical situations (like healthcare or law enforcement).
true or false:
Are becoming to be very powerful that they can potentially bring about new classes of accidents, threats, and abuses.
true
[They become incredibly powerful and could lead to new classes of accidents, threats, and abuses. These technologies are different from older technologies because they have the potential to impact society on a much larger scale and are more accessible.]
Unintended Effects and Over-Reliance
Over-reliance on technology can have unintended consequences. For example:
Antibiotics: While they have revolutionized medicine and saved countless lives, overuse has led to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
DDT: A pesticide used widely in the 20th century, it had devastating environmental effects, including harming wildlife and causing health issues in humans. Although it was initially seen as a solution, its widespread use led to unforeseen negative consequences.
These examples show how reliance on a technology can lead to unintended effects when not properly controlled or understood.
true or false:
GNR are inherently more dangerous than 20th-century technologies
true
[Unlike nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons (NBC), which are expensive and require rare materials, GNR technologies are much more accessible and scalable.
GNR technologies could be produced and used by smaller groups or even individuals, making them potentially more dangerous. For example:
Genetic engineering could be misused to create biological threats or designer pathogens.
Nanotechnology could be used to create tiny, invisible machines that cause widespread damage if not properly regulated.
Robotics could be used to automate destructive actions, creating autonomous weapons that can be deployed without human intervention.]
what makes technology dangerous
- Self replication
▪ Joy sees this as potentially disastrous because it could self-replicate uncontrollably.
▪ Since GNR technology requires only knowledge to create, the fear of such information falling into terrorist hands is also strong.
▪ Possibility not just of weapons of mass destruction but of knowledge enabled mass destruction (KMD)
[if gets out of control, they could cause widespread damage and be misused by malicious groups for mass destruction.] - Overdependence to machines
▪ The rate and direction of technological innovation over time will lead to a world where humans are
unnecessary, and machines will be able to do without us.
[as tech advances, humans might become unnecessary, with machines doing everything, leaving us without a meaningful role in society.] - Possibility of autonomous decision making
▪ Instead of interacting with them in the way we historically have, we will cross a threshold where we unwittingly relinquish the responsibility of making important decisions that we as a society need to make.
▪ They will do our thinking for us.
[machines making important decisions on their own could lead to humans relinquishing responsibility and losing control over crucial societal choices.]
a disaster where a particular group of people is selectively eradicated due to genetic manipulation.
white plague
True or false:
genetic engineering could be engineered to target and eradicate a select group of people.
true
Bill Joy’s Concerns on Robotics:
- Development of Artificial Intelligence:
Bill Joy questions the growing power of artificial intelligence (AI) and its ability to make decisions without human intervention.
S2. elf-Replicating Robots:
As robots and AI become more advanced, they could eventually self-replicate and evolve beyond human control, possibly leading to human extinction.
- Humans Evolving into Robots:
There is also a possibility that humans might merge with robots or use technology to extend their lives, seeking immortality by becoming part machine.
computers will eventually become more intelligent than humans
Robot rebellions
someone who rejects new technologies and technophobic
Neo-Luddite
[refers to individuals who reject new technologies and are fearful or distrustful of technological advancements. Technophobes are people who have a strong fear or aversion to technology. Critics argue that while technological progress does present risks, rejecting all new technologies out of fear isn’t a productive or realistic approach.]
Argument of John Seely Brown and Paul Duguid view of technology’s future
too pessimistic
- believe that focusing on the dangers of technology overlooks its positive potential and the human ability to control and adapt to technological change.
- criticize the “doom-and-gloom” outlook, suggesting that technology doesn’t necessarily lead to a dystopian future.
Bill Joy’s Message on Technology and Responsibility
- Taking Responsibility
- Growing Technological Dangers
Taking Responsibility:
Bill Joy emphasizes that society must take responsibility for how technology is developed and used.
He believes that we need to adopt preventative measures to avoid catastrophic consequences in the future, rather than wait until it’s too late.
Growing Technological Dangers:
He argues that the dangers of technology continue to increase because people, although generally reasonable and concerned, often act in an erratic way and fail to consider the long-term consequences of their actions.
Microsystems in 1982 and served as chief scientist at the company until 2003.
Bill Nelson Joy
▪ His now famous Wired magazine essay, “Why the future doesn’t need us,” (2000) sets forth his deep concerns over the development of modern technologies
