Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Bill Joy On His Own Future, And The World's

Posted by timothy on from the he's-an-optipessimist dept.

geeber writes "There is an interesting interview with Bill Joy in the current edition of the Magazine in the New York Times. He is still obssesed with what he calls a 'civilization-changing event' brought on by the fast pace of research into dangerous technologies such as genetic engineering and nanotechnology. Another interesting tidbit: he has flirted with the idea of going to work for Google."

6 of 273 comments (clear)

  1. Who wouldn't? by SeaDour · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Another interesting tidbit : he has flirted with the idea of going to work for Google."

    Really now, who these days hasn't thought about that? :D

  2. Re:that victoria secret ad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    i had to refresh almost 20 times to get that ad, but it was worth it.

  3. We managed to survive... by hot_Karls_bad_cavern · · Score: 5, Interesting

    We've managed to survive the splitting of the atom in the last century, but have bred some very, very, very dangerous weapons while at the same itme developing some very, very important technologies. It's a wonder we've managed that so well (so far).

    i understand his concern over these new branches of study and it is of *dire* importance that we tread lightly and remember our lessons in the areas of genetic modification and nanotechnology, yet all the while moving forward. i'm no luddite, but i am always wary and respectful of the power of the human mind.

  4. Re:Too fast? Not hardly. by Spectra72 · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Having worked at Sun I was able to attend a few talks given by Bill Joy. Frankly, stupid is not a word that a Slashdot poster should be using in the same sentence with his name.

    Agree or disagree with the man, he may be right, he may be wrong..time will tell, but he is anything but stupid.

  5. Re:Bill Joy by hool5400 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    He didn't praise the Unabomber, he said that as much as he hated to admit, the Unabomber raised some valid concerns. I seem to recall that he also called him criminally insane.

    Worth noting that a friend of Bill Joy was maimed by one of the Unabombers bombs.

    Just because a person is a nutcase doesn't mean that all their ideas are to be instantly dismissed.

    --

    Remember, it takes 42 muscles to frown and only 4 to pull the trigger of a sniper rifle.
  6. Re:Dangerous technologies by relativePositioning · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The man is suggesting an end to the free flow of information that science is built upon. He talked about scientific "guilds" that would hold the sacred flame and hide it from everyone else in an effort to preserve the human race.

    I'm sorry, but that would sound like the end of at least interdisciplinary science if not science itself. I think the rubuttal that you labeled "simplistic" is pretty accurate. Just because the results of science can be used for destructive aims is not a reason to return to the ages of hidden knowledge.

    --

    "I'm a loner Dottie, a rebel."
    - Pee Wee Herman