For the first time since I began my MBA studies, I purchased a non-school related book: Ray Kurzweil’s “The Singularity is Near.” Kurzweil’s latest tomb (over 600 pages) documents and extends the concept of how the merging of biological and technological evolution will leapfrog human beings forward into a new world. Although I have just begun the read, I am familiar with his basic premise: evolution (both biological and technological) grows at an exponential rate. Moore’s law, the mushrooming of internet hosts, and the successful completion of the human genome mapping project are all results of this technological acceleration. Kurzweil argues we are just reaching the ‘knee curve’ of the exponential curve. The rate of progress will all of the sudden warp to dizzying speeds, springboarding humans to super intelligence. This mean, in just a few short years, our world will make the magic of Harry Potter seem commonplace. Incantations to conjure matter into any shape will be routine, easily accomplished through new emerging technologies such as nano-manufacturing plants. And Quidditch playing will be a snap. (through immersive virtual reality games)

I first came across the concept of a technological ’singularity’ during my teens, initially becoming engrossed with the idea after watching the Japanese cult hit Akira. Oftentimes, when I reflect on the possibility of a future Singularity, I am excited to see the future, and feel a boyhood desire to leapfrog a few decades ahead in time to catch a glimpse of what’s coming. Other times, with mature sobriety, I wonder if we will ever have a hope of reaching it.

If technology increases at an exponential pace, so does its military applications. (i.e. From cross bow, to machine gun, to nuclear bombs, etc.) In the past, individual detractors had a limited ability to disturb the extraordinary process of evolution. However, as technology evolves, the capacity for individual humans to destroy also evolves. Portable nuclear devices are but one example that easily springs to mind. Nanotech, genetic engineering, and even robotics all will open new pandorian boxes. All this leads to the dismal fact that only a few determined individuals can cause massive, unprecendented damage. In the worst case, civilization won’t recover.

One workaround may be through security. As the world continues to evolve into increasing complexity, security will play an increasingly important role. Good security (which will include physical, information and network security backed by thoughtful international policy) will mitigate against any catastrophies caused by individuals seeking to unleash the destructive forces of evolving technology. And until every human is non-violent, unfortunately, this securing of the planet will be a necessary evil. (evil only because the process of security will create a substantial drag on most human endeavors)

In the end, I’m not certain we’ll make it to Kurzweil’s Singularity, the land of limitless knowledge and limitless life. I sure hope we do though.