Stanford Singularity Summit

For our west coast readers, The Singularity Summit at Stanford on May 13, 2006, might be something worth checking out. The Summit will feature major inventors, scientists, futurists, and innovators, discussing the concept that humanity is quickly approaching the point where technologies - genetics research, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence, specifically - will qualitatively alter the nature of our species.

Among other things, the Singularity hypothesis predicts that these technologies will allow increased mental capacities, extended longevity (possibly immortality), elimination of all health problems and aging itself, and access to astounding new technologies, including virtually free energy. The problem, of course, is that the Singularity, by its definition, is such a profound change that if the hypothesis is true, there's truly no way of predicting what will actually happen if it comes.

The Summit is free to the public, although it does require RSVP through the website.