Though it's been contemplated for years, the Technological Singularity is something that's been doing the rounds in geeky circles lately.

It entails the implications when the accelerating advancement of technology reaches a point that surpasses human comprehension, resulting in amazing things.

Think of it. Technology progressed virtually in a straight line for centuries, and all of a sudden the end of the twentieth century sees an explosion of technology arguably not seen since the Precambrian.

What's interesting is because technology didn't just advance, but the pace is accelerating. And this is a big deal, because technology builds on the stuff that preceded it.

Consider the microprocessor. Spaceflight. The Internet. Mobile phones. Wifi. Pamela Anderson's altering bust size.

Technology's been moving faster and faster lately and it's doing amazing things, many of which we already take for granted. Now with such acceleration taken into account, think about that line moving to its logical conclusion, or at least think of that rate of progress and try to imagine two decades away. There. That's the idea.

There are different schools of thought on this. One is an almost dystopian view from Vernor Vinge where humans stand to become obsolete (before you thump your chest in disagreement, do read the piece first) that, when you think of it, logically makes the most sense.

Another is Ray Kurzweil, who undoubtedly shares the possibilities as Vinge, but who tries not to alarm people into a panic. His is a more optimistic view where humans don't become obsolete but coalesces with machines and blossom into a new type of species that does away with human frailties, extends its powers, and lives forever.

It has yet to reach the masses, but this should be among Kurzweil's most important books, and one that gets the concept of the technological singularity into the consciousness of the public.

TechCentralStation | WSJ | Slashdot | Inc. | MIT