Singularitarian Bootstrap Reading


Although the Singularity is conceptually simple, its effects are profound. Understanding Singularity-relevant topics requires a lot of study. This reading list seeks to bootstrap the aspiring Singularitarian as quickly as possible. A more complete reading list exists—and I suggest you use it—but my purpose is to provide you with the bare minimum knowledge to `get' the Singularity.

I've used electronic texts whenever possible. In fact, the entire list only contains one book that you will have to read dead tree (GEB): everything else is available electronically.

1. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig [buy]: In this interesting, semi-autobiographical book, Pirsig lays the foundation for rational thought in a technological society. The full text of this book is available online; search Google for it as the links may change because, as far as I know, there is no official electronic version.

2. Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas Hofstadter [buy]: GEB covers the mathematics and philosophy essential to understanding the Singularity. This is arguably the single most important book on this list (and unfortunately the most difficult to access). Buy a copy, borrow one from a friend, visit the library; do everything within your ethical means to obtain this book.

3. Evolutionary Psychology Primer: Explains the basics of how to think about the mind. Clears up many misconceptions that people have about how minds work.

4. Evolutionary Psychology FAQ: Answers many common questions about evolutionary psychology. An excellent follow-up to the primer.

5. Beyond anthropomorphism: Breaks-down common errors when thinking about minds in general. Important before you go much further. (Avoid reading the rest of Creating Friendly Artificial Intelligence, of which this is a section, right now. Come back to the full document after you've finished with this list.)

6. Transhumanist FAQ: Answers the most common questions about Transhumanism and provides good links for further reading on Transhumanist ideas which are the backdrop of Singularitarian ideas.

7. The Coming Technological Singularity: Vernor Vinge, physicist and science fiction author, formally presents the Singularity for the first time.

8. What is the Singularity?: An introduction to the Singularity.

9. Ethical Issues in Advanced Artifical Intelligence: Survey of Singularitarian thinking regarding the ethics of creating AI.

10. Existential Risks: Analysis of scenarios that could result in the failure to reach the full potential of the universe, whether that be the end of all life or just the permanent paralysis of development.

When you finish this list, there's a lot more to read. Get to it!

Posted: Sat - July 3, 2004 at 06:53 AM        

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