Transcendent Man

Are we poised at the precipice for a new stage in human evolution? This is the theory proposed by inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil, the central and deeply complex subject of Robert 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 rate 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 AI, 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. —Lane Kneedler