Consciousness is the only real material we have to work with. Therefore, a greater consciousness is what has true value. Consequently, experiences, technologies, methods and potential life forms that hold - or give rise to - increased or expanded consciousness is of the utmost importance. Lifespan for individuals as well as for entire species is secondary in comparison. An A.S.I. (Artificial Super Intelligence) which has a superior ability for perspective will be a better creature based on our own metrics. When we invest in our offspring we dare not recognize this. Although the result of your reproduction is amazing, hopefully, it will never be able to compete with something that becomes the whole of humanity's child: a new step in evolution.
In the best of worlds, you are the ape of the future.
A teaser shot from the virtual reality developed in Unreal Engine 4.
Initially, the visitor is presented with an audio work of a subjective statement concerning the reality of body and mind, here seen to the left in the photograph. This is done as the time passing is shown by an hourglass. There is a partition of the space as to not reveal the VR-part of the artwork. The audio sets a direction for the mind before entry into the virtual realm is granted. At, the center one can have a glimpse of the virtual world into which the VR experience is leading, this was not presented as a feature for the visitor. To the right in the picture, the visitor is in a virtual reality, listening to a soundscape and a narration: receiving - at first - statements followed by instructions and finally questions - before being returned to physical reality.
The Singularity is Near was exhibited at Färgfabriken, Stockholm, Sweden, November 2017, during which Nandi Nobell - through the artist collective Very Very Gold has had a creative residency for six months.
Photo: Jean-Baptiste Beranger
Clip from within the VR part of the artwork