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— contents —

~ about | the radio show
~ the episode
~ about | the episode
~ bio | from the radio show

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radio show: Coast to Coast
episode title: The future of mind + machine.
guest: Ray Kurzweil
host: George Knapp
date: February 2013

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Coast to Coast | home
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name: George Knapp
bio: journalist
web: profile

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about | the radio show

Coast to Coast airs on more than 600 radio stations in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Guam — with 3 million weekly listeners. With hosts George Noory, George Knapp, and guest hosts — it’s the most listened-to overnight talk radio show in North America.

A media phenomenon, Coast to Coast deals with UFOs, strange occurrences, life after death, and other unexplained + inexplicable phenomena.

source: Coast to Coast

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— the episode —

AUDIO FILE

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about | the episode

An introduction.

Host George Knapp welcomed futurist Ray Kurzweil for a discussion on the merging of man + machine. And his research into reverse-engineering the human brain to understand precisely how it works.

How is the human mind designed?

According to Kurzweil’s estimate, the brain consists of 300 million ‘pattern recognizers’ — that assign these trends into hierarchies. This hierarchy ranges from simple patterns like shapes + sounds — at the low end. To more abstract concepts such as irony, humor, and beauty — at the top. He said: driving the creation of this hierarchy are our own thoughts as we ‘create one conceptual level at a time.’

By understanding how this process works, he now plans on designing computers which will utilize the same methodology.

Transcending limitations.

Kurzweil observed that the envelopment of humanity by tech is not a fearful new development. He contended that it is merely part of larger evolution of the species to ‘transcend the limitations of biology.’ He dismissed concerns about the eventual augmentation of the body with technological devices.

He suggested that: ‘very, very few people will opt-out’ when the opportunity becomes available. He surmised that — much like there are a myriad of apps available for smart-phones — there will be millions of choices for people to fuse technology with their body.

Kurzweil pointed to the ubiquity of smart-phones as a sign that technologically augmenting the body will not be solely the domain of the wealthy. Ultimately, he stressed that machines are the creations of humans — and so they’re already part of who we are.

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bio | from the radio show

Ray Kurzweil is a world-leading inventor, thinker, and futurist. Called the ‘restless genius’ by the Wall Street Journal and ‘the ultimate thinking machine’ by Forbes magazine — his ideas on the future have been touted by his many fans. Who range from Bill Gates to Bill Clinton.

Time magazine said: ‘Kurzweil’s eclectic career — and propensity for combining science with practical, humanitarian applications — have inspired comparisons with Thomas Edison.’

He is a recipient of the US National Medal of Technology and an inductee into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. He’s author of  6 best-selling books:

• the Age of Intelligent Machines
• the Age of Spiritual Machines
• the Singularity is Near
• How to Create a Mind
• Fantastic Voyage + Transcend

source: Coast to Coast

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— notes —

UFO = unidentified flying object
US = United States