Another book about phantasies and visions of a better future through technology. E. J. Sternberg, Williamsville North High School grad and current Brandeis University neuroscience researcher ponders over computers with conscience in his new book “Are You a Machine? The Brain, The Mind And What It Means to Be Human”. The disturbing results (I haven't read the book so I make reference to the review) are that only few has changed: apologists of artificial intelligence, neuroscience, robotics etc. continue to tell their fairy tales about conscious computers that have the intelligence of multiple brains and a virtual reality that is even more real than ever before. The escape into VR as a meaning of life? (Source)

Let's face it: does anybody still believe in this? Didn't we get any wiser? Since the origin of computers, AI and its relatives told us about super-intelligent computers and the benefits they will bring to us. There was hardly any problem that couldn't be solved by them. Sure, technology has gone a long way. But it's not the AI that changed our lives and our way to communicate but it's communication technology itself. Who will use these VR dreams but a few people when the world has to face real problems like over-population and global warming? Where are AI's answers to our recent problems? Or, less dramatic: millions of people get spammed every day. Is there any solution offered by IT visionaries to prohibit SPAM? Or what will all this artificial intelligence and consciousness be made for? If problems like this one would be way too down to earth, then you might get lost in virtual reality.