Microsoft Word Kurzweil, Ray The Singularity Is Near doc

adoption phase of introducing nanotechnology and intelligent computation into our bodies and brains. The 
more profound implication is that we'll augment our thinking processes with nanobots that communicate with 
one another and with our biological neurons. Once nonbiological intelligence gets a foothold, so to speak, in 
our brains, it will be subject to the law of accelerating returns and expand exponentially. Our biological 
thinking, on the other hand, is basically stuck. 
M
OLLY 
2004:
 
There you go again with things accelerating, but when this really gets going, thinking with biological 
neurons will be pretty trivial in comparison. 
R
AY
:
 
That's a fair statement. 
M
OLLY 
2004:
 
So, Miss Molly of the future, when did I drop my biological body and brain? 
MOLLY
2104:
 Well, you don't really want me to spell out your future, do you? And anyway it's actually not a 
straightforward question. 
M
OLLY 
2004:
 
How's that? 
MOLLY
2104:
 In the 2040s we developed the means to instantly create new portions of ourselves, either biological or 
nonbiological. It became apparent that our true nature was a pattern of information, but we still needed to 
manifest ourselves in some physical form. However, we could quickly change that physical form. 
M
OLLY 
2004:
 
By? 
MOLLY
2104:
 By applying new high-speed MNT manufacturing. So we could readily and rapidly redesign our 
physical instantiation. So I could have a biological body at one time and not at another, then have it again, then 
change it, and so on. 
M
OLLY 
2004:
 
I think I'm following this. 
M
OLLY 
2104:
 
The point is that I could have my biological brain and/or body or not have it. It's not a matter of 
dropping anything, because we can always get back something we drop. 
M
OLLY 
2004:
 
So you're still doing this? 
MOLLY
2104:
 Some people still do this, but now in 2104 it's a bit anachronistic. I mean, the simulations of biology 
are totally indistinguishable from actual biology, so why bother with physical instantiations? 
M
OLLY 
2004:
 
Yeah, it's messy isn't it? 
MOLLY
2104:
 I'll say. 
M
OLLY 
2004:
 
I do have to say that it seems strange to be able to change your physical embodiment. I mean, where's 
your—my—continuity? 
MOLLY
2104:
 It's the same as your continuity in 2004. You're changing your particles all the time also. It's just your 
pattern of information that has continuity. 

---

M
OLLY 
2004:
 
But in 2104 you're able to change your pattern of information quickly also. I can't do that yet. 
M
OLLY 
2104:
 
It's really not that different. You change your pattern-your memory, skills, experiences, even personality 
over time—but there is a continuity, a core that changes only gradually. 
M
OLLY 
2004:
 
But I thought you could change your appearance and personality dramatically in an instant? 
MOLLY
2104:
 Yes, but that's just a surface manifestation. My true core changes only gradually, just like when I was you 
in 2004. 
M
OLLY 
2004: