I ran across this set of articles the other day while doing some research at work. I actually learned of the concept of a technological singularity about a year ago. It's a facinating and exciting topic, though I think it tends to border on being a kind of technological religion (i.e. belief system).
Here are a couple quotes on the subject that I've found to be particularly thought provoking:
Vernor Vigne, 1993, The Coming Technological Singularity:
Within thirty years, we will have the technological means to create superhuman intelligence. Shortly after, the human era will be ended.
Stephen Hawking, 1998:
Some people say that computers can never show true intelligence whatever that may be. But it seems to me that if very complicated chemical molecules can operate in humans to make them intelligent then equally complicated electronic circuits can also make computers act in an intelligent way. And if they are intelligent they can presumably design computers that have even greater complexity and intelligence.
Vinge still stands by his statement that he'd be surprised if the singularity hasn't happened by 2030. I think it's a possibility (yeah, I'm not putting a value on that probability), and the thought is attracitve in a macabre way - along the lines of any dystopic society fantasy.
Let's see...I'll be 62 years old in 2030...just about ready to retire. The world will be a very different place by then indeed. It'll be interesting to look back 22 years to 2008 and read this entry.