Technium- The Seventh Kingdom

Picture from Google

Scientists, Mathematicians and especially Edmond Kirsch from Dan Brown’s latest book, “Origin” is addressing the possibility of a new kingdom in our taxonomical hierarchy. Technium: An Ecosystem of various technologies, a society of technological species that may operate even without human interference! I was unable to process my thoughts when I first learned about this- not just because of fear but realizing how there is a depth to this clichéd, otherwise overlooked statement: Technology will replace humanity. 

This puts a danger sign on the various technologies serving various purposes in our lives today, that one day these might chip off our existence as a dominating race. Was the creation of technology a mistake? Should we curse the invention of wheels, should we forget the countless inventions that not only defined science but made human survival against all forces a possibility? 

The word “Technology” was invented only in the year 1829. Until then, different machines had their own names and the system as whole was not defined. And this big word, could still be a stranger to us. 

Technology has made our life easier, so much that we are almost incapable of living without it. It has disabled us as independent human beings who need constant dosage of electronics and internet. However, we can’t live as cavemen forever. Evolution is a fact no one can disagree to, and human inventions and discoveries are the evidences that show developments in the human race. Darwin said that we evolved from apes, and even before that from fishes who evolved from algae and likewise, the origin of life goes back to non-life. So the question is, did he explain the race after human? 

Darwin did explain his theory by means of Natural Selection and that being one fact, could we be the inferior member that needs to be eliminated, while the new species of technology survive and improve as a superior member? 

What I am picturing is a world that might completely be populated not with human beings but a complex system of robots and artificial intelligence. And that one day this might happen. Although, this transition might take time and we wouldn’t feel it as a giant variation. But it has already started, it started as early as life. 

Kevin Kelly, Senior Maverick at Wired Magazine, thinks Technium as a child to humanity and that one day, it will have learned everything it needs and be independent. My friend Yonten, a Greek Myth fan, calls it a Vicious allegorical cycle: Zeus killing his father Kronos and Kronos killing his, could be an example of how the offspring destroys its creator. He thinks that may be our creation will destroy us too. 

This appears to me as more than just a scientific prediction, that one day technology will take over the human race and that Technium will flourish as an independent kingdom. 

What's your thought?