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"In general, a singularity is a point at which an equation, surface, etc., blows up or becomes degenerate."

Do you also participate in discussions of Microsoft Surface by explaining that in general, a surface is a flat exterior of a coherent object?

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"To call Vinge a particularly bad science fiction author"

Vinge didn't come up the singularity; Kurtzweil did. Kurtzweil did. I quite like Vernor Vinge's work.

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"says more about your critical acumen"

Acumen is the ability to make good numeric estimations on the spot, such as business decisions.

Despite that I quite enjoy Vernor Vinge's work, I also feel it important to point out that merely should someone dislike an author you like would not, in fact, be a measurable sleight against their intelligence, any more than liking different pizza toppings would be.

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"I read the "singularity is near" in the article title as ironic"

That's interesting. If that's correct, then you have a point. (Also, bravo for being part of the one percent of the internet who knows what that word correctly means. I mean that in earnest.)



Vinge did coin the term singularity.

The term was coined by science fiction writer Vernor Vinge, who argues that artificial intelligence, human biological enhancement or brain-computer interfaces could be possible causes of the singularity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_singularity





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