The illusion of self-awareness. Happy automatons, running on trivial programs. I'll bet you never guess. From the inside, how can you?

Pham Nuwen plunked himself down, stretching indolently.

We’re long on high principles and short on simple human understanding.

I say, let's learn more and then speculate.

So much technology, so little talent.

The physical extinction of the human race is one possibility.

The problem is not simply that the Singularity represents the passing of humankind from center stage, but that it contradicts our most deeply held notions of being.