Which brings us to the theory of Multiple Intelligences, first put forth in the 80s by psychologist and Harvard Professor of Neuroscience, Howard Gardner.
Proponents of the singularity typically state that an intelligence explosion is a key factor of the Singularity where super-intelligences design successive generations of increasingly powerful minds.
Mr Menand, a frequent magazine writer as well as a professor of English, zestfully adopts the contemporary biographical practice of not treating thinkers as disembodied intelligences.
The debate, hosted by Intelligences Squared, featured Bruce Schneier, (chief security technology officer with BT) and Marc Rotenberg (executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center) speaking in support of the idea that the threat of cyber war has indeed been exaggerated.