Is America in danger of being taken over by a race of elite superhuman intelligent beings? No, I haven’t heard of an imminent invasion by space aliens, but I did read an extensive article in the New York Times on the “Singularity Movement” that raised thoughts of such an invasion in my mind. The Singularity is a movement embraced by a group of the smartest and wealthiest technological minds in Silicon Valley. The vision of the Singularity movement is that eventually human beings and machines will be able to merge (if images of “The Borg” from Star Trek arise in your mind, you get the picture). Such a union will free these human/machine entities from illness, old age, and even death.

Raymond Kurzweil, the spokesperson for the movement , made clear his intention to live for hundreds of years and even to resurrect his father. The eventual advances of neuroscience and technological ability will enable him to download memories and data; medical advances will enable him to prepare his body for longevity. At this time, Mr. Kurzweil takes 150 pills a day and receives “regular intravenous procedures,” in addition to “reprogramming his body through a low-fat, vegetable-rich diet and regular exercise” (well, we’re all supposed to be doing that, right?). Nonetheless, I could not help but reflect upon how terribly frightened this man must be of death. Can technology truly “fix” everything – even the “problem” of death?

I’m not sure whether to laugh at this prospect or to cry. It seems so sci-fi; indeed, there are probably many in a position to say, “This all sounds great, but it IS sci-fi – we simply aren’t there yet.” Nonetheless, apparently there are some who think it CAN happen and is a really nifty idea. This of course raises all kinds of questions about how and whether this changes how we think of ourselves as human. Will these “borgs” become the new standard of humanity? Will the rest of us become “less than human”? The implications of such a superhuman “master race” are frightening. But I’m not yet ready to build a fallout shelter against the impending invasion!