Vernor Vinge Quotes

Within thirty years, we will have the technological means to create superhuman intelligence. Shortly after, the human era will be ended.

We will soon create intelligences greater than our own ... When this happens, human history will have reached a kind of singularity, an intellectual transition as impenetrable as the knotted space-time at the center of a black hole, and the world will pass far beyond our understanding.

Intelligence is the handmaiden of flexibility and change.

IA is something that is proceeding very naturally, in most cases not even recognized by its developers for what it is.

Even the largest avalanche is triggered by small things.

All evil and good is petty before Nature. Personally, we take comfort from this, that there is a universe to admire that cannot be twisted to villainy or good, but which simply is.

So much technology, so little talent.

If there be only hours, at least learn what there is time to learn.

But if the technological Singularity can happen, it will.

The problem is not simply that the Singularity represents the passing of humankind from center stage, but that it contradicts our most deeply held notions of being.

We're endangered by our own success.

Technical people don't make good slaves. Without their wholehearted cooperation, things fall apart.

I argue in this paper that we are on the edge of change comparable to the rise of human life on Earth.

Politics is good; when it works properly, disagreements get solved without people beating each other up. But when a regime knows its days are numbered, there's always the chance it may use its position to change the rules and make the debate it is losing irrelevant.

How will the approach of the Singularity spread across the human world view?

The physical extinction of the human race is one possibility.

In fact, there was general agreement that minds can exist on nonbiological substrates and that algorithms are of central importance to the existence of minds.

We’re long on high principles and short on simple human understanding.

What we have is a data glut.

I say, let's learn more and then speculate.

Effective translation of natural languages comes awfully close to requiring a sentient translator program.

I have argued above that we cannot prevent the Singularity, that its coming is an inevitable consequence of the humans natural competitiveness and the possibilities inherent in technology.

He was guided by what he saw rather than by what he wanted to believe.

Politics may come and go, but Greed goes on forever.

Well, what do you know," Pham said. "Butterflies in jackboots.