Using Technology to Deepen Democracy, Using Democracy to Ensure Technology Benefits Us All

Thursday, May 05, 2011

Robot Cult Conceits

Upgraded and Adapted from the Moot:

Yes, it is the familiar Robot Cult gambit...

First, repackage a commonplace with a neologism (as when healthcare becomes "longevism" or "immortalism," network security becomes "Friendly AI," molecular biochemistry or materials science becomes "nanotech," and so on), then

Second, invest the neologism with quasi-religious transcendental significance (paradise, ascension, resurrection, immortality, superabundance, omniscience/super-intelligence), meanwhile

Third, rely on the original commonplace for whatever plausibility you need to sell whatever futurological scam you are on about -- be it singularitarianism, utility fog, post-human enhancement, whatever -- (after all, healthcare, security, biochemistry are palpably real and interesting enough) and then usually

Fourth, draw not only on such disavowed commonplaces but also from the intuitive plausibility arising from the citation of age-old narrative, figurative, topological conceits that freight the western magickal/technological imaginary -- from prometheus, icarus, the fountain of youth, faust, to frankenstein, the golem, the sorcerer's apprentice, the philosopher's stone, brave new world, and so on and so forth...

Repeat ad nauseum.

No comments: