Nick Bostrom has something to say about the furture of man.

'Suppose we get many little things right and make some progress. What use, if we are marching in the wrong direction? Or wasting our resources on projects of small utility while pivotal tasks are left undone? What if we are profoundly mistaken about what matters most?

There are big potential gains from getting better at thinking about the right kinds of macro-questions, because at stake is our whole scheme of priorities.

Some of these questions are about moral judgment and values. Others have to do with rationality and reasoning under uncertainty. Still others pertain to specific concerns and possibilities, such as existential risks, the simulation hypothesis, human enhancement, transhumanism, and the singularity hypothesis.

My working assumption: These high-leverage questions deserve to be studied with at least the same level of seriousness, scholarship, and creativity that is routinely applied to all sorts of insignificant micro-questions.

This assumption might be wrong. Perhaps we are so irredeemably inept at thinking about the big picture that it is good that we usually don’t. Perhaps attempting to wake up will only result in bad dreams. But how will we know unless we try?'

View Nick's blog by clicking here.

or

Read his fantastic paper on 'The Future of Humanity.'

BigDog Beach'n.

Amazing how far we have come. One of my favorite robots, BigDog kicks back at a beach in Thailand in this video. Wet sand, salt water, no problem. Would love to think he's carrying fruity drinks and paper parasols.

Click here to watch latest BigDog robot video.

The UK Needs to Follow US Form.

Quote from Egils Milbergs Center for Accelerating Innovation Website.

'U.S. Commerce Secretary Locke announced a new Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Inc. 500/5000 Conference.

Recognizing that new businesses are vital to the economic growth of the USA, the Office will focus on removing barriers for entrepreneurs seeking to take ideas and translate them into new products and services. The Office will work with the White House and other federal agencies to find ways to encourage entrepreneurship, including training, access to capital and policy incentives.

The National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship will advise the Secretary and the Administration on key issues relating to innovation and entrepreneurship. It will include successful entrepreneurs, innovators, angel investors, venture capitalists, non-profit leaders, and other experts on these issues.

The Council will identify and recommend solutions to issues critical to the creation and development of entrepreneurship ecosystems that will spawn new businesses and jobs. It will also serve as a vehicle for ongoing dialogue with the entrepreneurship community and other stakeholders.

Secretary Locke speaks about entrepreneurship and its importance to economic growth and job creation.'

End quote.

Now me:

We (the UK) need to set up a similar agency. Innovation and Entrepreneurship is not getting the support or the notion required to reach effectivity.

Click here to view Secretary Locke's talk.