Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Bedtime Reading - The Baby Business

While not necessarily an AI, a Project 2501 type of living entity breakthrough development, there's a growing (underground) market for genetically modified newborns, a scary scenario that reminds of previous episodes (Criminal Nature) of the Outer Limits and of course Gattaca in all of its twisted beauty and utopian representation of Space as the "final destination".



The Baby Business explains how parents willing to pay to make their kids "better" are actually fueling growth in the market itself. What's a "better" kid anyway? One that's smart, beautiful, that thinks like an Ivy League freshman when its 10 years old -- is it thinking or theoritizing? -- a math genious with a second life of a marketer?



Or intelligent, passionate about something eventually becoming a turning point for his future development, realizing admitting and getting over failure, being interested instead of being interesting type of kid, with a pure feeling of self-development and self-realization? -- a soul.



Would the "haves" donate genetic know-how, or would one be eventually found and commercialized? I think utopias are a powerful driving force, yet perfection remains among the biggest human weaknesses ever -- superhuman is a state of mind if you are willing to embrace it.