Name: Lemera V.

Campano 1BS Bio-B

Module 2 Section 5

Why the Future Does Not Need Us

This section tackles the dangers of S&T unchecked by moral and ethical
standards. The section is based on William Joy’s article, Why the Future Does
Not Need Us?, in evaluating contemporary human experience in the midst of
rapid development in science and technology.

Activity
Read Why the Future Does Not Need Us? by William Joy. (Link:
https://www.wired.com/2000/04/joy-2/), then complete the metacognitive
reading report.

1. Difficult concepts

A. New Luddite Challenge

B. Giving robots the authority to rule over humans
C. Theories engaging human extinction

2. Learning Insights

A.Before reading the article/understanding the lesson, I thought – that the

possibility of human’s extinctions are just theories and can only be seen
through movies.

B. However, reading the article/understanding the lesson, I now think/realize

– that it is somewhat possible because of us. The fact that we want to
develop ourselves, live as long as we want, to do all the things that we
desire through technology, makes that theory of human extinction, exist.
Because when our world becomes technology based, like everything that
we do manually, will be gone, the way we live is fully automatic, that’s the
time that humans might go extinct for the reason that only humans are
left of being not merged with technology. Like are systems, will be
programmed. Our actions, feelings, everything.
C.Before reading the article/understanding the lesson, I thought – that there is no
possibility that robots will take over earth. That they will rule man-kind.iv. However,
reading the article/understanding the lesson, I now think/realize – that there is a
possibility. Because based on the article, as time goes by, robots will get more and
more intelligent in a sense that humans might depend on them. Whether it’s their
decision on a specific thing or even their lives. Therefore, the chance of us being
ruled by robots exist. But also based on the article, people can have their private
robots to use themdepending on their attitudes. Assumingly, high class of persons
for they are the prioritized ones when it comes to technology. Whether they will
use it against humanity, or they will use it for the humanity.

3. What is the article about? Do you agree with the author’s statements in
the article?

Bill Joy's piece "Why the Future Doesn't Need Us" appeared in the April 2000
issue of Wired magazine. He claims in the piece that "our most potent 21st-
century technologies—robotics, genetic engineering, and nanotech—are
threatening to make humans an endangered species" due to competition from
intelligent robots made feasible by technical advances in artificial intelligence.
Furthermore, 21st-century technologies such as genetic engineering,
nanotechnology, and robotics have the potential to dramatically increase the
average human lifetime, yet they are so powerful that they also pose serious risks.

Joy comes to the conclusion that we should give up these devices before it's too
late. Yes, GNR may provide happiness and immortality, but should we put our
species' survival at risk to achieve these goals? Genetics, nanotechnology, and
robots, according to Joy, are too dangerous to pursue and should be abandoned.
Joy's demand for relinquishment, in my opinion, is unreasonable. Everything has a
harmful quality as well as a positive quality, if you "truly" think about it.Because I
believe "the future" does not require anything, but future people do require us to
act in confidence that life is worth saving and life's foundations are worth
defending. We already allow greedy interests to do anything they want, even mass
rape across broad swaths of the globe.

We must act as though there will be a future for us, or we will not have one.
Technology is neither good nor evil; it is what we use it for that determines
whether it is good or evil!