Jordan Crook writes:

The more we use knowledge found on the Internet (and not in our own minds) the less capacity we have to actually hold that knowledge internally. The best example in the video would be Patrick making his breakfast. Rather than knowing the recipe and cooking it, his Sight System gamifies the process and walks him through each individual step, virtualized on his counter-top.

While we’re already sliding down this slippery slope, Googling knowledge instead of retaining it, there are still limitations to it. Even in our hyper-connected world, there are certain times when you simply don’t have access to the Internet, and even if you do, there are things (very few things, but they exist) that cannot be looked up.

But by embedding the technology within our bodies, the externalizing of knowledge becomes internal.

The thought of externalized knowledge frightens me.

Be sure to watch the video thru the ending.

It doesn't scare me, really. We're already there. I can't fix most anything around me including the vehicle that propels me at dangerous speeds. I rely on others or machines for that knowledge. Our brains were never designed to store everything and we're adding more info to the world at an incredible rate. We need not fear not knowing everything. Our judgments and decisions are what is important not the size of our cerebral hard drives.

So what happens if we get stranded on an island or outer space without access?

Without practice, that memory part of out brain atrophies.

Some people will always challenge themselves to be better and most never will. Advances will be created by the former and trickle down to the latter. It's inevitable.

Most of the time we have a vested interest in a safe future for the bulk of humanity and plan accordingly. But, and your warning is very relevant here, technology increasingly allows a few to have a disproportionate effect on the many. This will only grow and at some point, yes, there will be a very nasty result as those who control it wield it over those dependent on it. Will it all net out in the positive? We can't be sure.

What I am sure of is that this problem is already here and has been for decades. During the cold war we sat on the brink of nuclear annihilation many times.

Day-to-day life has grown better and better but, yes, the black swan worst-case-scenario has grown exponentially darker.

That's a really good point.

Until humans have mastered space travel, there's a danger an extinction-level event can take out the planet.

Once humans can travel into space, other strategies (such as not relying on technology!) can play out separately.

If you like this, you should be sure to check out the three episodes of the BBC's anthology 'Black Mirror'. Each episode stands alone, each is interesting in its own way, and the second and third especially explore some similar themes.

Thanks for the tip, Gordon. I will check it out!