Microsoft Word Kurzweil, Ray The Singularity Is Near doc

 
Okay, so I'll have all these nanobots in my bloodstream. Aside from being able to sit at the bottom of my 
pool for hours, what else is this going to do for me? 
R
AY
:
 
It will keep you healthy. They'll destroy pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells, and they won't be 
subject to the various pitfalls of the immune system, such as autoimmune reactions. Unlike your biological 
immune system, if you don't like what the nanobots are doing, you can tell them to do something different. 

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M
OLLY 
2004:
 
You mean, send my nanobots an e-mail? Like, Hey, nanobots, stop destroying those bacteria in my 
intestines because they're actually good for my digestion? 
R
AY
:
 
Yes, good example. The nanobots will be under our control. They'll communicate with one another and with the 
Internet. Even today we have neural implants (for example, for Parkinson's disease) that allow the patient to 
download new software into them. 
M
OLLY 
2004:
 
That kind of makes the software-virus issue a lot more serious, doesn't it? Right now, if I get hit with a 
bad software virus, I may have to run a virus-cleansing program and load my backup files, but if nanobots in 
my bloodstream get a rogue message, they may start destroying my blood cells. 
R
AY
:
 
Well, that's another reason you'll probably want robotic blood cells, but your point is well taken. However, it's 
not a new issue. Even in 2004, we already have mission-critical software systems that run intensive-care units, 
manage 911 emergency systems, control nuclear-power plants, land airplanes, and guide cruise missiles. So 
software integrity is already of critical importance. 
M
OLLY 
2004:
 
True, but the idea of software running in my body and brain seems more daunting. On my personal 
computer, I get more than one hundred spam messages a day, at least several of which contain malicious 
software viruses. I'm not real comfortable with nanobots in my body getting software viruses. 
R
AY
:
 
You're thinking in terms of conventional Internet access. With VPNs (private networks), we already have the 
means today to create secure firewalls—otherwise, contemporary mission-critical systems would be impossible. 
They do work reasonably well, and Internet security technology will continue to evolve. 
M
OLLY 
2004:
 
I think some people would take issue with your confidence in firewalls. 
R
AY
:
 
They're not perfect, true, and they never will be, but we have another couple decades before we'll have extensive 
software running in our bodies and brains. 
M
OLLY 
2004:
 
Okay, but the virus writers will be improving their craft as well. 
R
AY
:
 
It's going to be a nervous standoff, no question about it. But the benefit today clearly outweighs the damage. 
M
OLLY 
2004:
 
How clear is that? 
R
AY
:
 
Well, no one is seriously arguing we should do away with the Internet because software viruses are such a big 
problem. 
M
OLLY 
2004:
 
I'll give you that. 
R
AY
:
 
When nanotechnology is mature, it's going to solve the problems of biology by overcoming biological pathogens,