A Chilling Merger

Evolution's Radical Future The Singularity is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology. By Ray Kurzweil. Viking Press
excerpts from James Gardner's review:

On the fusion of human and machine intelligence: In the post-Singularity era, techno-futurist Ray Kurzweil predicts, there will no distinction between human beings and their technologies. As we merge with our machines, we will become something more than merely human.

The Borg-like hybrid entity that is our evolutionary destiny will, in Kurzweil's words, "match and then vastly exceed the refinement and suppleness of what we regard as the best of human traits." But, alas, from the "perspective of unenhanced biological humanity" this future state of affairs "will appear to rupture the fabric of human history."

The only thing that will remain unequivocally human in such a world will be what Kurzweil regards as the defining trait of our humanity: the instinct to "extend [humankind's] physical and mental reach beyond current limitations."

Jeff's take on all this: walk on any college campus today and you can see the fusion has already begun. There are legions of students who do not differentiate themselves from their technology (cell phones). Totally scary!