TRANSCENDENT MAN Documentaries

Are we poised at the precipice for a new stage in human evolution? This is the theory proposed by inventor and futurist Roy Kurzweil, the central and deeply complex subject of Barry Ptolemy’s debut feature In his non-fiction bestselling The Singularity Is Near, Kurzweil posits that human technological advancement is moving forward at such an exponential rote that the human experience will soon be incomprehensible to those living today His central idea, “The Singularity,” imagines humanity approaching a post-human phase. In the near future, we will no longer be slaves to disease, hunger or even mortality Though post-human society has been depicted in science fiction, Kurzweil realistically examines the possibilities and consequences of advanced Al genetics research and robotics While meticulously’ observing Kurzweil the man, who is all too mortal, Ptolemy also grants voice to his critics. His film offers a compelling model of scientific inquiry as played out in the popular arena.

Details

Country: USA

Year: 2009

Director: Barry Ptolemy

Producers: Felicia Ptolemy, Barry Ptolemy

Director of Photography: Shawn Dufraine

Editors: Meg Decker, Doobie White

Cast/Featuring: Ed Begley Jr., Colin Powell, Herbie Hancock, Michael Eisner, Alan Dershowitz

Running Time (minutes): 86 min

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