Raymond Kurzweil interview
I just buzzed Patrick Finch from Sun about the pending interview. He should have the answers done by now so we can publish. In the mean time, we could start preparing for a new interview, and I was just hit with the idea of trying with Raymond Kurzweil, an interesting guy who predicts that the singularity is near (about 2045) and that technology development is accelerating.
He is also an AI expert and innovator.
It would be interesting to ask him questions regarding his thoughts on relations between pure technological progress and sociological evolution of humans. Core topics would be freedom in a technological world and how is it affected, and free access to new technologies by anyone anywhere in the world.
I imagine that, if we could come up with some interesting questions, and we manage to get in touch with him, it'd be quite an exciting and interesting interview. 
Interesting indeed, although I can't immediately imagine a question to ask. Maybe I will think of one ofter seeing some from others.
Ok, here is something quick to stir out potential questions; just something to form a base premise.
1.) "You talk a lot about accelerating evolution of technology and how certain today mostly unbelievable things are going to be feasible in a rather near future. Technology is, however, not inherently good nor inherently evil by itself. It is an extension of us and it depends on us humans whether it will do good for us or bad. This means that the more powerful our technology, the more responsible we should be in dealing with it.
Do you think humans are ready for such sudden increases of technological responsibility?"
2.) "These technologies will be most succesful in changing the world we are living in if everyone was offered free access to it (free as in freedom) and if it wasn't limited to a certain elite of people. If only an elite is able to take advantage of new technologies, with new powers that these offer they will be able to rule over the rest of us, which has the danger of turning our societies into dystopian ones.
What do you think about this? Do you advocate free access to technology and knowledge and in what ways?
3.) Related to the last question, a Free Software and Open Source movements are working towards a world in which software code is freely shared and modified among people, lowering the bar of entry for new innovators and creating a freer market than one traditionally held by proprietary software corporations like Microsoft.
What are your thoughts on Free Software and Open Source, especially within the context of your predictions? Do you think they play an important role in accelerating development of technology?
Do you happen use GNU/Linux yourself?
"
Anyway, that's it for now. Maybe it inspires more questions. We'll polish them later.
Why include open source in #3?
idontknowctmwhatsthepointofcapitallettersorspacesorpunctuation
I guess we don't have to, but I thought he might misunderstand "Free Software". We can explain that though as free as in freedom. Hmm... you're right..
It seems to me that talking of countermeasures against a potentially anti-human superior artificial intelligence may be futile, as it could ultimately convince/fool it's guards into acting according to it's true motivations.
If a rapidly self-improving AI is inevitable, is it not the case that those of us who wish to proceed 'au naturale' can only hope we are permitted to do so?
Good question democrates. You know.. this opens a pandoras box of issues that are coming up when we consider the idea of super intelligent machines. Ray's response should be interesting.
I just sent an interview request to Ray.
No reply.
We might re-send an interview request at a later time, but as of right now this is to be considered failed. Moving on.