Singularity

Nathan here.
     I've been paying a lot of attention to the work of Ray Kurzweil lately. The notions of computers surpassing the abilities, or even the potential, of human intelligence. In 1999 Ray predicted the following for 2009:

• Computers are primarily portable, with people typically having at least a dozen on or around their bodies, networked together with "body LANs"
• Rotating memory (CD-ROMS, Hard disk drives) are on their way out
• The majority of text is generated with speech recognition software
• Learning at a distance, through computers, is commonplace
• Computer-controlled orthopedic devices, "walking machines" are used to help the disabled
• Translating telephones (where each caller is speaking a different language) are commonplace
• Virtually all communication is digital and encrypted
• The ten years leading up to 2009 have seen continuous economic expansion
• Most purchases of books, videos and music are digital downloads
• Warfare is dominated by unmanned intelligent airborne devices
• Tele-medicine is widely used, where the physician examines the patient at a distance with virtual reality

It's scary how close he is to the truth. Singularity describes the moment that computer intelligence surpasses our own - a moment of uncertainty describing a major paradigm shift. What kind of future is there for humanity when/if this happens? Is the world destined to some kind of Matrix-esque existence where pride leads, once again, to annihilation? Kurzweil thinks that we're more likely to merge with them in an attempt to progress and keep up - to remain competitive so to speak. He claims that processors the size of blood cells will inhabit our body to eliminate the problems with aging, disease and improper healing. I guess my question to you is: would you want to live in a world like that? It possesses some rather artificial flavouring to me.