October 19th, 2014

“…Capable of printing out the parts necessary to assemble another one. Machines that can reproduce themselves.” Doctorow (93)

“Like humanity’s creations had evolved past their inventors.” Doctorow (102)

What if robots actually do end up taking over the world?  Can we build technology so competent that it over-powers its creators?  It’s sorta looking that way, isn’t it?  Machines that can reproduce themselves, playgrounds that morph according to its surroundings… There’s so much brain power inside of these machines, how can we make sure that we always have the option to turn it off?  The capacity held within these miraculous inventions is awe inspiring.  Wonderfully useful and smart, but how far does it go?  And does the machine decide that or do we?