It seems that as the human race evolves, the faster we create more impressive technology. What I mean by creating technology faster is easily explained through video games. In 30 years it has gone from two white paddles bouncing a white square back and fourth to massive online community games that are filled with 3-D characters and artificial intelligence. These kind of improvements have never come as quickly as they do now, in any aspect of technology.

With that said I will get on to a real column. Progression is good, but it always leads to an end. So all these things are for the worse, in my opinion. They may be worthy of awe, but they are killing us from the inside.

Certain people believe a theory that is called Technological Singularity. This helps to explain why the advancements in technology, while created for entertainment, could easily become a problem. I suppose it sounds a little paranoid or space age-y to some, but it seems rational to me.

“Theoretically, if a machine built by humans could bring to bear greater problem-solving and inventive skills than humans, then it could design a yet more capable machine. If built, this more capable machine then could design a machine of even greater capability. These iterations could accelerate, leading to recursive self improvement.”

This could possibly ensure that there is no place for humans on earth. If a machine can learn, and does not have to worry about emotions, disability, death, or old age, what would be the point of the human race? There would be very few wealthy members left, and the work force as we know it would be automated. The individuals who used to fill the positions will be dead. Every employee could be replaced and the job would be done more efficiently. Not to mention, it will eventually be cheaper than an on going wage.

Also developments in psychology could lead to a complete understanding of the human mind. We have already discovered that the brain works through very detailed radio waves, once we can translate this “brain language” all emotions and thoughts can be influenced or changed. Even if this is not a goal, it is an inevitable by-product.

Already rats and bulls can be influenced greatly by remote radio control implants. Right now the technology is very primitive and the receiver requires high risk surgery to implant, but you can imagine that it is a top priority to change this. As with all technology, it gets smaller, safer, smarter, and easier to use.

The problem here is no satisfying end goal can be achieved by either wealth, capitalism, or new technology. There will never be a point in time where anyone says, “alright this is good enough, I have enough money, enough stores, and enough fancy gadgets.” So, no one really knows what we are working towards. Eventually this will cross the line of helpful and begin to be very dangerous. The most dangerous factor is these three things seem to be a driving force behind even the most “aware” or “sustainable” people I have met. Even if you claim you don’t support capitalism or frivolous wealth, you do.

It is very easy to lie to yourself and not be aware of it. Also it is very hard to question beliefs that you think you have your mind set on. When we were all young we were influenced by punk bands to question everything that seemed normal, but we still have never questioned the ideas we were turned on to, even now that they seem normal.

You might have a job, you might want to own a business, and you certainly like to buy things. So what makes you different than anyone else? Is it what you are buying? What you are selling? Is your brand of capitalism helping in some different way? Most likely it is just your own personal style of what you claim to work against.

I am gonna assume most of you who are reading this live, breathe, and create in a massive economy, so everyone is a part of any problem that is claimed to come from these three things. Many people look down on others for not subscribing to the same remedial techniques they do, that they are some how worse than you or more at fault in some way. Whatever helps you sleep at night I guess.

While I am not trying to say any effort is useless, I am saying many efforts are justifications, not solutions. They are proof to say “I cared when you didn’t” and nothing more. Ultimately this boosts the individual ego, not the community. We are all familiar with the saying: Picking battles wins the war, and this is very relative in today’s society.

May god bless you in this life and the next,

-Michael Andrew Bussler