From: Tom Cowper (tcowper@capital.net)
Date: Thu Jun 27 2002 - 16:17:33 MDT
Isn't one of the definitions of the singularity the fact that predictions about what will
or will not occur become nearly, if not completely impossible? If that's the case,
the issue for me becomes - that time leading up to the singularity. What happens
to crime, criminals, terrorists and their use of powerful emerging technologies?
How much social turmoil does nanotech, AI, Genetic Engineering and the like
create, how do criminals take advantage of that turmoil, and how do/can cops deal
effectively with both the resulting turmoil and the criminal exploitation of it so that
they themselves become part of the solution (the peaceful, safe transition into a
singularity) and do not contribute to the problems (more turmoil, destruction,
government regulation, diminishment of liberty, fear, slowing or stopping
technological progress, etc)?
Some of us are starting to grapple with these issues of crime and crimefighting in a
pre-singularity transitional phase of human/social evolution. That's difficult enough
to quantify and then try and mobilize traditionally oriented police officers and
agencies to deal with it. Your scenario of sawing off the cyborgs leg is a good
example of the potential problems we will be dealing with. Steve Mann's latest
difficulties flying commercial airliners is a current example of the same type of
issue. Tip of the iceberg, but maybe one which could potentially have a huge
impact on whether or not we actually reach the singularity in the first instance?
Tom Cowper
On 25 Jun 2002 at 21:07, ABlainey@aol.com wrote:
> After the singularity, I feel it would be fair to say
> that we will still have crime. In fact I feel it fair to say
> that as long as WE survive in some form or another we will
> still have crime. The problem is, what will be defined as a
> crime?. If we have been uploaded/offloaded what happens to
> the present crime of murder ?. Will deleting an uploaded
> consiousness be murder ? or simply cleaning out the recycle
> bin ?. Will sawing off someone's cyborg leg be Assault with
> a deadly weapon, or just criminal damage?. If someone breaks
> your glasses today are they guilty of assault?
>
> There are a million and one laws in existence, many
> of which are outdated and useless even today. Most of the
> more obscure laws just make us laugh, but will it be a
> laughing matter when a bigger, stronger, immoral upload
> sticks you in the trash can?. Kiss your binary body
> goodbyeeeee
>
> Alex
Thomas J. Cowper
tcowper@capital.net
http://www.capital.net/~tcowper
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