Experts Fear Future Will be Like Sci-Fi Movies

segphault writes "In the year 2020, Luddite terrorists attack technology infrastructure and artificial intelligences dominate earth! Or at least that's what 700 experts predict in the latest poll conducted by the Pew Internet and American Life Project (pdf). Is the future really going to be like a science fiction movie? Ars Technica provides a humorous overview of the survey results. From the article: 'Are these scenarios really indicative of future trends? Given the prevalence of many of these concepts in science fiction content, it is obvious that the ideas themselves are at least relevant enough to warrant consideration. That said, the nature of the survey and the way that the scenarios are presented makes the entire thing seem less plausible. In looking at classic science fiction films of the past, from Blade Runner to Soylent Green, one realizes that few of them really predict with any accuracy the world we live in today. Culture and technology can change in radically unpredictable ways, and today's experts may lack the foresight to perceive the future with the clarity of Hari Seldon.'"

Comments

Re:poppycock

[Dausha]

"I do mentally associate much of Fox News with the Two Minute Hate. I concede the doublespeak angle, the use of language to mislead rather than inform."

This really saddens me. You associate Fox News with use of language to mislead. Conversely, you associate other news sources (e.g. CNN, BBC) with language used to inform. Really, how can you tell the difference? What if both are using language to mislead? Two eye witnesses at the scene of an accident will invariably give two different, inconsistent stories. The answer is this: news told from a vantage with which you disagree uses language to mislead. The truth is this: both sides use language to mislead. Until you accept that, you are mentally impaired for you have permitted your passion to obscure your judgement. If you think one side misleads more, then you have not accepted the truth---both sides mislead to their advantage.

"And yes, there is the equivalent, many equivalents, of Room 101."

Please show proof of Room 101. This is a conclusory assertion on your part with no real basis in fact. You will likely cite Gitmo and CIA facilities abroad. However, IIRC, Room 101 was used to "re-educate" citizens who disagreed with the party line. Where are the re-education facilities for U.S. citizens? That you are able to freely express dissent exposes the freedom in our country. You have freedom to dissent, evidenced by your post. You do not have freedom to convert dissent into violent action.

"Yes, they listen to our phone calls without a warrant . . ."

Yeah---no. Much of the phone call stuff was blown out of proportion. The U.S. was given access by the telcos to who-called-whom. This allowed the U.S. to associate known suspects with those with whom they were communicating. This helped expose terrorist cells. Intercepting some calls based on that association does not equal the government's listening to your phone call without warrant. World Wars I and II were the ultimate in Industrial Age warfare. This modern War Against Global Terrorism is an exemplar of a war fought in the Information Age. You expect that the U.S. government should not be allowed to use any means necessary to root out foreign agents and allies hostile to our country.

We are a tolerant society. When in times of conflict, we accept certain encroachments on our liberties to accomplish the task---look at rationing during WWII. However, our political process is in place. When it is obvious that encroachments have gone too far, or that the government has usurped its perogative, the American people will respond. And no, a few house seats one way or another is _not_ a referendum.

You contemplate that because the Republicans are in power, then government usurpation is only possible through the Repubicans. I put it to you that power corrupts, and had the Democrats been in power post 9-11, then they would be taking the same steps and they would be the alleged usurpers. My conclusion is that the government has not usurped its authority, evidenced by the fact we are able to publically dissent.