The Second Uncanny Valley

The “Uncanny Valley” is the evocative name for the commonplace reaction to realistic-but-not-quite-right simulated humans, robotic or animated. Most of us, when encountering such a simulacrum, have an instinctive “it’s creepy” response, one that is enhanced when the sim is moving. Invented by roboticist Masahiro Mori, the Uncanny Valley concept is typically applied to beings (broadly conceived) as they become increasingly similar to humans in appearance and action. But what about beings as they become less similar to humans—following the path of transhumans and, eventually, posthumans?

...

Complete entry

Posted by geekWithA.45  on  10/31  at  01:46 PM

Your central insight seems dead on.

You are correct to consider the potential legal and political obstructions, but I submit that this is an extension of the social forces already in play that act to limit top end performance.

Consider how people possessing the high end of unenhanced cognitive ability are already treated at the high school level, until they adopt social strategies to minimize the interference. Consider also the phenomena of females masking their intelligence for social reasons.

---

Add your comment here:

Name:

Email:

Location:

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?

Please enter the word you see in the image below: