Review by David Wood

Singularity Hypotheses can be seen as a major sign of the impending birth of a rigorous new field of studies, perhaps known as 'singularity studies'. Just as far-sighted Astronomy emerged from the murkiness and wishful thinking of Astrology, and as mighty Chemistry emerged from Alchemy, it can be anticipated that Singularity Studies will emerge - though with much greater speed - from an existing range of semi-disciplines and pre-disciplines, where much murkiness and wishful thinking still rules the day. These precursors include Populist Singularitarianism, Narrow AI specialism, and AGI Denialism, among others.
    The field is not yet born: there is too much dissent over fundamentals. The essays in the book often show well-intentioned writers speaking right past each other, seemingly without grasping the main points of their fellow contributors. But the editors are to be congratulated on insisting that the Technology Singularity is a topic well worth analysis, and for enabling this ground-breaking round of discussion to take place. Even where I disagreed with individual viewpoints expressed - which was often - I found myself confronted by useful new thinking models or thought-provoking examples.    The field is not yet born: there is too much dissent over fundamentals. The essays in the book often show well-intentioned writers speaking right past each other, seemingly without grasping the main points of their fellow contributors. But the editors are to be congratulated on insisting that the Technology Singularity is a topic well worth analysis, and for enabling this ground-breaking round of discussion to take place. Even where I disagreed with individual viewpoints expressed - which was often - I found myself confronted by useful new thinking models or thought-provoking examples.
    The diverse essays in Singularity Hypotheses can provide the beginning of serious classification of the issues and risks which will increasingly occupy the public attention, as awareness grows that, indeed, there may soon be giant alien minds at work on earth - giant minds with operating principles at radical variance from human sensibilities. Populist Singularitarians may over-state their claims, but their underlying arguments have sufficient strength as to deserve careful review. The editors of Singularity Hypotheses have shown real leadership in addressing this subject, despite its present-day immaturity. The essays they have commissioned are by no means the last word on the subject, but will surely be cited frequently in the near-future as the field of Singularity Studies quickly grows in stature and significance. 

David W. Wood, Co-founder and Executive VP, Symbian; Chair, London Futurists; Principal, Delta Wisdom

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