An interesting proposal, I might have to take a look at this book. I've long considered that our physical evolutionary pace has reduced its speed as we seek to create machines to do our physical work for us, and instead it is now these machines that evolve. Although the average height of a human has increased over the past several centuries, you only need to look at the height of the internal decks of an 18th century warship to see that, and consider what ancient times called 'giants'.
Provided we are able to address other significant risk factors in our continued existence, then we are rapidly approaching what is known as the 'Singularity', the emergence of greater than human intelligence via either artificial intelligence or human brain augmentation.
Back when the Matrix came out, there was released a direct-to-DVD feature called the 'Animatrix' which had several short animated films set in the world of the Matrix, one rather poignant and disturbing film was called 'The Second Renaissance' which dealt with the rise of the machines, and our mistreatment of them, which eventually lead to our own downfall at their hands.
We face a very interesting ethical and moral dilemma when the time comes that we can interact on a one to one basis with a machine that thinks for itself, does that make it sentient? Does that mean it deserves the same rights as man?
Another good exploration of the rights of sentient machines is in the Star Trek The Next Generation episode 'The Measure of a Man'
Provided we manage to avoid the pitfalls of what awaits us, there are going to be some very interesting questions that we will need the answers for in the coming years, and there will be ample opportunities for mankind to demonstrate its morality in both its good and terrible forms.
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