“Third Thumb” Augmentation Changes the Way we Think of Prosthetics
For anyone with their eyes on the future, the merging of biological existence with technology seems certain. There are several different predictions for how this will all play out, and many points of view that are heavily dystopic in nature. However, on the more positive side of things, individuals such as Ray Kurzwiel have predicted a ‘[easyazon-link asin=”0143037889″ locale=”us”]Singularity[/easyazon-link]’ – an emergence of super-intelligence via technological means.
Thinking about such a concept is incredibly daunting, but a few bold visionaries are taking the steps forward to bring those realities from future to present. One such person is Chris Edgette, an up and coming writer/director who is in the process of creating his film project called I’s.
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Edgette and his team launched a Kickstarter Campaign back in July with the goal of $18, 500. Now, in the final days of the campaign, they have gathered just over $22,000 and are taking all that they can get. Check out the interview with Edgette below for the latest updates on the project and how you can help.
1.) The Singularity is such a broad, almost unimaginable concept for most. How did you dive into creating a film to portray your imaginings of it?
We very much wanted to make a film that spoke to mainstream audiences unfamiliar with the Singularity, while providing contemplative fodder for those who well understand the concepts and their potential implications. In a film, it is difficult to explore every option in a vast possibility space, so we focused on what we see is the core idea of the technological singularity: as soon as we create something that is significantly more intelligent than us, it will have an even greater capability to create. We cannot predict what will happen next. If you know it is coming, those last days become a time both melancholy and wondrous. We might be looking at our own demise, or we may be witnessing our greatest evolution since the dawn of life. No matter what occurs, we will have created something greater than ourselves. It is the ultimate birth by our species.
From a storytelling perspective, we felt that it was important to present a personal story against that massive backdrop. In film, everything is relative; grandeur does not exist without detail, and our imaginations can be more powerful than $100 million in explosions. We needed a character and a journey that would allow us to explore those last days. It might have been fun to create a film with massive crowds and huge set pieces, but we really wanted to look at the implications of the singularity and likely future technology in our individual lives. I think our approach will ultimately inspire the greatest sense of personal wonder in viewers, allowing them to dream about what the Singularity might mean in their own lives or the lives of their children.
2.) Most films generally cast technological advancement in a negative light. How do you think the public will accept the concepts that you are presenting?
I think that the public will love to see a refreshing new take on the somewhat tired “evil artificial intelligence” trope. We hope that the film inspires a new curiosity about the technological singularity, as well as a bit of reflection on the large scale state of our civilization.
3.) You have reached your original goal of $18,500. Are you going for a stretch goal, and if so, how will that help improve the film?
We wanted to be modest, so our original goal of $18,500 was the minimum we needed to complete the film. If we can hit our stretch goal of $25K, we can really take the effects and sound to a new level. Any support we receive allows us to:
– Vastly improve the quality and interactivity of the augmented reality interfaces. The more we can explore with these interfaces, the powerful and real the film can be.
– Expand the inner mind of the AI character. This character is unique, and we really want to bring it to life in a visually stunning way.
– Add depth to the sound and music. We have a great composer and a wonderful sound mixer lined up. Additional time will allow them to really give the world of I’s a special life.
I would note that there is no fat in this project; I am entirely unpaid, and our Associate Producer is working for a percentage of the film. Your contributions will go directly into what you see and hear onscreen. We are incredibly honored by all of the support so far, and we hope that we can make a film that delights and inspires you!
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Future Implications: The Serious Wonder Team, myself especially, is looking forward to see what the end result of this visionary piece will be. Check back for more updates on I’s in the near future.
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Image Source: Kickstarter
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About the author
Nicole is a futurist, author, theorist, musician. She enjoys deconstructing reality, getting beaten at chess, and pondering about neutrinos.
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