I've talked quite a lot on this blog about artificial intelligence and how it'll change human culture. I think AI has the potential to replace us mentally (in terms of creativity, imagination, problem solving skills, everything). I think this because I believe human brains are nothing more than chemicals swirling around in our heads. However, I read an interesting line from the book I'm reading currently called "Homo Deos". The author largely agrees with me but also stresses that since we don't know the inner workings of the human brain that well, there could be discoveries that await us that will prove that humans are superior in some ways.
It first I was taken back by this idea. While, I think this is possible, I suspect the opposite is more likely. I suspect that as we discover more about the human brain, we will actually discover how simple and inefficient it really is. Just like when astronomers discovered that the earth was not the center of the Universe, once neuroscientists figure out how the brain works, I think humanity will have to square it's shoulders at another realization of how mediocre & not special we all are.
