Analyzing The Text:
The coming Merging of Mind and Machine
Science Essay by Ray Kurzweil
Q1.
The article has a formal structure with several sections. An introduction announces
the author’s bold predictions, four body sections develop these ideas, and a
conclusion both summarizes the argument and raises more questions. This
structure is effective because it allows the author to present and explain the
technological details with which he supports his argument.
Q2.
The crucial similarity between biological and technological evolution is the
exponential speed at which they develop.
Q3.
Moore’s Law states that computers double in capacity and speed per unit cost
every 24 months. Growth will continue through new architectures such as
computing cubes, nanotube circuits, optical computing, crystalline computing, and
molecular computing.
Q4.
Kurzweil compares the human brain to the hardware and software of a computer. If
these are analogous and if computers continue to become more and more powerful,
it should be possible to create a computer with the “software” of the human brain
paired with an infinitely greater calculating capacity, which will revolutionize
society.
Q5.
Reverse-engineering is the process of discovering how something works by taking
it apart and using it as a model. Reverse-engineering the human brain and applying
this knowledge could help computers become more intelligent, as Kurzweil
predicts.
Q6.
Kurzweil’s tone in this paragraph is authoritative but humorous (when he confesses
that his calculations “may be off by a year or two”). This is not exactly consistent
with his otherwise lively but earnest tone.
Q7.
Kurzweil predicts that computers will not only surpass humans in intelligence but
will also develop the next step in intelligence.
Q8.
Yes, because of all his evidence and his own track record as an inventor.
No, because he has not sufficiently addressed the unique nature of human
intelligence.