This week
we review the article "Why the future doesn't need us"
publish on Wired Magazine on April 2000. The article was written by Bill Joy
and explains the term GNR and his fears on it.
GNR stands
for genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics. Joy was convinced that growing
advances in genetic engineering and nanotechnology would bring risks to
humanity.
Joy biggest concern regarding genetics is that "promises to revolutionize agriculture by
increasing crop yields while reducing the use of pesticides; to create tens of
thousands of novel species of bacteria, plants, viruses, and animals; to
replace reproduction, or supplement it, with cloning; to create cures for many
diseases, increasing our life span and our quality of life; and much, much
more.” The problem is pointed out, however, that the military and offensive
applications are almost easier and more easily manipulated than some of the
peaceful applications for genetic research. Mr. Joy’s greatest concern
regarding genetic technologies is “that it gives the power - whether
militarily, accidentally, or in a deliberate terrorist act - to create a White
Plague.” Joy explains that this technology must be monitored, but that
monitoring would be most successful in an honors type system. Unlike atomic
energy and where testing was evident, breakthroughs in genetics can be hidden
and remain private until a malevolent source chose to act out some malicious
plan.
He is also concern about nanotechnology and robotics,
with nanotechnologies he fears that with the benefits of it we could face a big
risk. People might be looking to save lives with all this technology but if we
look at the whole picture like him it is another step closer to see the humans
being half robots like some movies have shown us before. With robotics he
points that soon machines will perform duties that would not require human
intervention at all, and that soon after that robots will be making decisions
on their own. This will make the system harder to turn off and by the time that
people want control back the system will be so complex that humans beings will
be incapable of doing so. When this happens machines will have total control
over humans and we will be totally dependent on them. Joy also states that this
new and advanced machines would be controlled by a few. The rich and powerful
will have control over them and over the masses.
This article was written in 2000 and we are very close
to the year he states this robots will be made. It is scary to think
about the human race being controlled by machines but we are a step closer
every day. Some people might say that robots will never overpower humans
because of their lack of emotion or pain but the way I see it that might be the
advantage that they will have over us.
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