THE PATH TO SINGULARITY: HOW TECHNOLOGY WILL CHALLENGE THE FUTURE OF HUMANITY
Book ID/图书代码： 11457024C00001
English Summary/英文概要： In a rapidly changing world, are we on the brink of creating technology that outpaces our ability to control it?
Astrophysicist J. Craig Wheeler, former president of the American Astronomical Society, takes a critical look at the technological advances shaping our future. From artificial intelligence to genetic engineering, Wheeler explores how these innovations are interconnected and the potential they hold for humanity’s evolution. He warns of a future where autonomous machines outsmart us and genetic modifications challenge our very essence. With thought-provoking insights into the ethical dilemmas we face, Wheeler stresses the importance of staying informed and proactive.
Key Questions Raised by Wheeler:
- Will there be jobs for those willing to work in a future dominated by automation?
- How might social media companies manipulate our decisions, potentially stripping us of free will?
- Could AI influence or even dictate our voting behaviors?
- If widespread mental connectivity becomes a reality, could we see the emergence of a collective consciousness that erases individuality?
- Have we exhausted Earth’s resources, and is population control necessary?
- What implications arise if we solve aging? How will society adapt to the challenges of perpetual youth?
- What are the realistic prospects of migrating to space as Earth becomes increasingly inhospitable?
- Our decisions today will determine if we control technology or if it controls us. Through an engaging narrative, Wheeler not only outlines the challenges but also offers practical advice on how we can retain control over our technological destiny.
Includes a Foreword by Neil DeGrasse Tyson.
Chinese Summary/中文概要： 在一个快速变化的世界里，我们是否正处于创造超越我们控制能力技术的边缘？
美国天文学会前主席天体物理学家J• 克雷格•惠勒对塑造我们未来的技术进步进行了批判性的审视。从人工智能到基因工程，惠勒探索了这些创新是如何相互联系的，以及对人类进化的潜力。他警告说，在未来，自主机器将超越我们，基因改造将挑战我们的本质。惠勒对我们面临的道德困境有着发人深省的见解，他强调了保持知情权和积极主动态度的重要性。
惠勒提出的关键问题：
在自动化主导的未来，那些愿意工作的人还会有工作吗？
社交媒体公司可能是否会操纵我们的决定，从而剥夺我们的自由意志？
人工智能会影响甚至支配我们的投票行为吗？
如果广泛的心理联系成为现实，我们能看到抹去个性的集体意识的出现吗？
我们是否耗尽了地球的资源，人口控制是否必要？
如果我们解决衰老问题，会产生什么影响？社会将如何适应青春永驻的挑战？
随着地球变得越来越不适宜居住，迁移到太空的现实前景如何？
我们今天的决定将决定我们是控制技术的人还是被技术控制。通过引人入胜的叙述，惠勒不仅概述了挑战，还就我们如何保持对技术命运的控制提供了实用的建议。
本书的前言由内尔•蒂戈拉斯•泰森撰写。（ZY)
Awards/获奖情况：惠勒带领读者对技术和人类的交叉点进行了广泛的探索，并避免了玻尔的困境，即“很难做出预测，尤其是对未来的预测。”相反，惠勒让读者意识到现在正在发生的快速变化，让读者明白不去想未来是不明智的。这是一本内容丰富、令人不安的书。——布莱恩•施密特，2011年诺贝尔物理学奖获得者，澳大利亚国立大学前副校长
这本书很及时，应该得到广泛阅读。先进的技术，如生物、网络和人工智能，可以拯救我们，还可能引发全球性的破坏。世界上不断增长和要求更高的人口足迹可能会改变气候，破坏我们的环境。所有公民都要意识到这些全球危险，开展运动以确保拥有一个更安全的世界，这是至关重要的。这本全面、清晰、权威的书正是提高人们对这些问题认识所需的。——马丁•里斯，英国皇家天文学家，著有《科学是否拯救我们》和《未来：人类的前景》
根据这项工作的性质，天文学家会对巨大的空间和时间跨度进行思考。J• 克雷格•惠勒是他那一代顶尖的天文学家，他对一切都有着深刻的见解和通透的清晰认知。这一切都在这本关于科学、技术和人类未来的书中得到了展示。每个人都应该读这本书！——约翰•P•霍德伦，哈佛大学，2009-2017年奥巴马总统任期的科学顾问
克雷格•惠勒博士以一种平易近人、引人注目的方式探索了指数级发展技术的无限潜力和危险，包括计算机、人工智能、机器人、电动汽车、基因编辑、太空飞行等，从而达到教育、警告和激励的作用。凭借数十年的科技专长，惠勒在复杂的进步景观中航行，揭示了未来的机遇和危险。这本及时而重要的书使读者能够掌握我们快速发展的世界的复杂性，并成为塑造我们未来的积极参与者。——杰•博斯尤，博士，奥斯汀技术与社会论坛执行主任
Wheeler takes the reader on an expansive exploration of the intersection of technology and humanity, and avoids Bohr’s dilemma that “it is difficult to make predictions, especially about the future.” Rather, Wheeler prepares the reader to be aware of the rapid changes that are now on-going, leading the reader to understand that it would be unwise not to think about this future. A highly informative and unsettling book.
-- Brian Schmidt, 2011 Nobel Prize laureate in Physics, former Vice Chancellor of the Australian National University
This fine book is timely and should be widely read. Advanced technology– bio, cyber and AI–can be our salvation; it can also trigger devastation that cascades globally. The footprint of the world’s growing and more demanding population could change the climate and devastate our environment. It’s crucial that all citizens, mindful of these global dangers, campaign to ensure a safer world. This comprehensive, clear and authoritative book is just what’s needed to raise awareness of these issues.
-- Martin Rees, UK Astronomer Royal, author of If Science is to Save Us and On the Future: Prospects for Humanity
By the nature of the job, astronomers think big thoughts about immense spans of space and time. J. Craig Wheeler, one of the top astronomers of his generation, thinks big thoughts about everything, with deep insight and crystal clarity. It’s all on display in this wonderfully wide-ranging and terrifically accessible book about science, technology, and the future of humanity. Everybody should read it!
-- John P. Holdren, Harvard University, Science Advisor to President Obama 2009-2017
About the Author/作者介绍： 约翰•克雷格•惠勒是美国天文学家。他是得克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校的塞缪尔•T和弗恩•亚纳吉萨瓦学院天文学教授。他以研究超新星而闻名。他是美国天文学会的前任主席、该学会的会员和美国物理学会的会员。他是2023年3月呼吁暂停人工智能工作信件的初始签名者之一。包括埃隆•马斯克在内的1000多名科技领袖都签署了这封信。
John Craig Wheeler is an American astronomer. He is the Samuel T. and Fern Yanagisawa Regents Professor of Astronomy at the University of Texas at Austin. He is known for his research on supernovae. He is a past president of the American Astronomical Society, a Fellow of that society, and a Fellow of the American Physical Society. He was one of the original signatures of the infamous letter calling for a temporary pause of work on AI in March, 2023. Over a thousand leader in tech signed this letter including Elon Musk.
Format:HARDCOVER
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