Module 12

Jaquelyn Hernandez

IST

11/18/2012

Module 12, The Future.

            In this module we were assigned to read an article called “The Future doesn’t need us” published by Wired magazine in April 200. The author of the article is Bill Joy (William Nelson Joy). Joy expresses his concerns about development in modern technology. He believes that by continuing our fast growth with technology it could bring some risks to mankind.

Joy continues talking about his discussions with other people. How other people talk about the future being full of robots and people not having to do anything because robots and machines are already doing the job for them. His concern is that machines/robots/computers will turn on humans and think that we are useless.

Joy even begins to talk about GNR (Genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics). He beings explaining why he has such a fear for GNR. “(GNR)- are so powerful that they can spawn whole new classes of accidents and abuses. Most dangerously, for the first time, these accidents and abuses are widely within the reach of individuals or small groups.” Joy exposes his fear that GNR will be controlled by individuals or small groups in a negative way that can cause problems.

Joy states that “I think it is no exaggeration to say we are on the cusp of the further perfection of extreme evil…. To a surprising and terrible empowerment of extreme individuals.” Personally I believe in what joy states. The growth in technology has affected mankind. We now have terrorist that are able to hack their way through firewalls and passwords. We would not hand over all the power to machines/ computers/ and robots willingly.

However, if we expect them to ruin our life’s they will be able to find a reason why mankind should not be around. I believe that there should not be a point to cross. I believe that we should not relay on technology too much to the point where it does everything for us. In that way hopefully Joys fears will never come to be.