The Future Of An Unknowable Future

I. Introduction

Humanity and its technology are changing at an ever accelerating rate as we move towards an increasingly unknown and perhaps unknowable future. A perfect example of this is shown by what is known as “Moore’s Law” named after Gordon Moore an electrical engineer and co-founder of Intel. “Moore’s Law” states that the speed of computer processors will change exponentially over time which means every one to two years computers will double in speed and efficiency. This exponential growth in computing power will one day lead to what is called the singularity where our technological growth will begin to accelerate to a velocity where humanity will be quickly left behind if they do not learn how to adapt to the changing world around them. I see a point where we will have to join

Reality

Descartes postulated that perhaps we are living in a dream world. A world that for all intents and purposes right down to the finest detail may in fact be an illusion. In his Second Meditation he comes to the conclusion that he exists by establishing that even if his experience of the world and everything in it is an illusion, it cannot be doubted that an experience is indeed taking place. Therefore if an experience is taking place as a thinking entity that is aware of his surroundings whether the surroundings, including his body, are real or not does not matter the act of thinking proves that he exists.

Perhaps one day far in the future our bodiless transhumanist mind decides reality is too boring and decides to enter a vast complex artificial simulation of the twenty first century. He could choose to be whoever he wants to be. He could be a president, a famous actor, a secret agent, or a powerful billionaire. Does the character he chooses to play determine who he is at a fundamental level? No, changing ones persona is no different than in the previous examples of changing your clothes or changing your prosthetic bodies. The essential you persists as a thinking