I’ll be away for a few days: my friend Salim Ismail has invited me to participate in a program this week out at Singularity University, so I’ll be flying to San Francisco early Wednesday morning. I’ll be posting when I can — this looks like it’s going to be a fascinating experience — but the short programs at SU are high-intensity affairs that start early every morning and go far into the evening, so there won’t be much time for writing till I get back next week.
I know it’s been pretty dull here lately: there has been much to comment on, and a lot of it has to do with topics that are so highly charged that I’ve been wary, frankly, of wading in. I’ve been blogging here for seven years now, and need to reflect a bit on where it’s all led, and how exactly to move forward.
The world is changing very quickly now; its effective volume has shrunk very rapidly in the past few years, and so the pressure and temperature are increasing at an accelerating pace. There is some sort of phase transition on the way, I think, but whether any of what we know and love will survive it is terribly hard to say. It is clear, though, that the kettle is about to boil.
Singularity University is a hotbed of optimism about the future. I could use a dose of that, because I feel more like we are all sitting on a volcano, and the ground is starting to rise.
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Have fun at SU. Bring back lots of pics.
As for this:
“I could use a dose of that, because I feel more like we are all sitting on a volcano, and the ground is starting to rise.”
Move out of the city, my friend. It’s a lot more peaceful in the boonies, and no less “real” than those urban hot spots are. (I’m channeling Colin Fletcher when I say this.)
Safe travels.
Should you see Peter, give him my regards. While in San Fran, might put in for a government job. Happy trails.
Thank you JK! I just got back from driving Malcolm from the airport to his symposium, where he can ponder the imponderable with the other brainiacs.
Kevin, I quite agree. It’s why I spend so much time in the Outer Cape, and why I particularly love it in the winter, when it’s all but deserted.
Peter, thanks so much for the lift. Great to see you.
So far: a keynote by Peter Diamandis, a tour of NASA Ames, and schmoozing with the braniacs. I’ve already managed to piss in the punchbowl by asking what all this exponential change is likely to do to indigenous cultures around the world, and to human happiness.
The program gets rolling tomorrow morning. First up: AI and robotics.
Just a “heads up” thingy Malcolm, exercise extreme caution pissing in punchbowls should any folks from DARPA be in proximity.
Peter? Malcolm give you any advice on handling explosives?
Uh, no, but I was advised not to seek your guidance on the subject – also learned that JK is derived from a Navy term for adrift at sea –
Well Peter, tho’ I do retain all my digits Malcolm is a wise fellow so yes, his advice is sound. “Fortunately” for me I was already deaf so “sound” didn’t figure into the equations.
And nope, I had nothing whatsoever to do where the Norkies’ rocket was concerned.
I wonder if Salim’s parents gave him that name so both of his names would have five letters in common.
It was such a privilege to meet you this past week. I’m very sorry you weren’t able to stick around. Hopefully you’ll find a way to make it back out and visit the new batch of students in the summer.
Uh oh. Alaina’s comment seems disturbing. Added to Malcolm’s depending on Peter for a ride, anyone reckon Malcolm’s gonna be hammering a “Re-Elect Barack” sign in his front yard out on the Cape?
Hi all — down in Yorba Linda now for a family visit, then flying home tomorrow. Sorry it’s been so quiet here, but I’ve just had no time or brainpower left over for blogging. I’ve hardly even looked at my email since Wednesday.
SU was absolutely, transformatively mind-blowing; it was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I won’t be hanging up any Re-Elect Barack signs, but I am not quite the same person I was five days ago, and that may show a bit, going forward.
Alaina, it was great to meet and talk with you too, and I will certainly be going back to Singularity every chance I get. Thanks so much for dropping by here to say hi.