[extropy-chat] Iron Man Kurzweil Reference

[Brandon Reinhart]

I was reading issue #86 of The Invincible Iron Man in which Tony Stark (the
Iron Man) is reading a copy of the "Age of Spiritual Machines." As a
billionaire industrialist and weapons developer leading research into AI and
nanotech, Tony is deeply disturbed by implications of the book and the
Singularity. He contemplates putting down the armor once and for all, but
ultimately decides that would do nothing to stop a singularity. Instead, he
works to develop a new technology that would allow him to push a kill-switch
on anything he invents (therefore aborting any out of control.something.
Obviously his plan is flawed, but.)

 

This was an issue from some time in '04 I believe, just after the breakup of
the Avengers.

 

I thought it was interesting to see a Kurzweil reference in the comic and to
see Tony Stark refer to Kurzweil by name. Just shows a broadening of
transhumanist influence.

 

Also, over 2005-2006, it has become common for Tony Stark to refer to
technologically enhanced Marvel superheros as "posthumans" -- another
demonstration of the broadening influence of the terminology of
transhumanism.

 

Brandon Reinhart

transcend at extropica.com

 

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