All of our agriculture is already genetically engineered. It has been happening since the dawn of farming.
No, it was bread. ;) Calling selective breading and grafting "genetic engineering" is like calling a sword fight "surgery". A little euphemistic. :)
That's the kind of words I'm used to using among my grad school peers and what I was referring to. We grew cuttings of African violets and called that "tissue culture."
Sorry about that. I guess my education has induced a new language barrier. -_-
The completely automatic car with complete AI from the movie Frankenstein Unbound would be perfect. GPS navigation system, remote call and it'll drive over to you, AI that has internet access and large enough internal memory to store your library and read it to you while you drive… printer, voice activated word processor and email… you'd never have to leave your car, video entertainment while it drives to your chosen destination…
It can't get into an accident because of all the sensors… and you'd have a choice of voices. William Daniels (the original KITT and John Adams), John Cleese, Patrick Stewart (ENGAGE!) the girl next door…
Now there's an idea. Now, how about some automatic systems that will restrain you while you're "under the influence" and something to take care of whatever vomit comes of your mouth when you've REALLY had too much? :)
Since people are talking about immortality and nanotechnology over here then I'd like to point out some hypothetical scenario that might happen.
Normally when people think of nanotechnology they picture this:
What those people normally don't consider is that future nanotechnology might look like this:
Bottom line? Future nanotechnology might sport artificial cells that behaves and functions just like ordinary cells, possibly to the point of dividing and multiplying and showing all characteristics of a living cell. Only thing that would make it different would be that it's made out of inorganic materials. Some theorize that the invention of such cell would be the ultimate invention of the mankind and could ultimately transcend humanity to a new stage. The age of inorganic life.
Humans could have their bodies slowly replaced with a simple injection of inorganic stem cells that would replace the organic ones and take over the normal functions of his body. Afterward the cells could be reprogrammed to modify the body and enhance it in ways that the organic cells could not. Immortality and a brain with the calculative processing power of a supercomputer that far exceeds the computer of today and even those of the future. That brain would be capable of interfacing with other transhumans and the internet of the future and "download" updates to enhance it further. Trivial things like sleep and deceases would cease to exist and we as a race will take the final step in distancing us from mother nature by become something that doesn't belong to it. Evolution will no longer affect us. Instead we will control how the race develops.
Humanity would enter an age where space holds no boundaries. The time it would take to cross its wast distances would be trivial since time is no longer a factor for the undying man. In order to conserve energy the astronauts could be simply "turned off" and stay in hibernation until they reach their destination. Come to think of it, why bother sending a large spaceship with livesupport for hundreds or possibly thousands or even millions of humans when a much smaller ship could be launched with their consciousness instead. Once arrived the ship would unpack itself into a facility with cloning vats and simply construct their bodies and install the stored minds into them.
This is some of the radical things that I've read regarding Inorganic life. It's frightening yet appealing at the same time. The scary thing is that with current development in medicine the idea of an inorganic cell is closer to completion then ever before. We might see the first functioning artificial cells withing couple of decades although that doesn't mean we'll start seeing hybrid-human/computers walking around the day after.
Humans could have their bodies slowly replaced with a simple injection of inorganic stem cells that would replace the organic ones and take over the normal functions of his body. Afterward the cells could be reprogrammed to modify the body and enhance it in ways that the organic cells could not. Immortality and a brain with the calculative processing power of a supercomputer that far exceeds the computer of today and even those of the future. That brain would be capable of interfacing with other transhumans and the internet of the future and "download" updates to enhance it further. Trivial things like sleep and deceases would cease to exist and we as a race will take the final step in distancing us from mother nature by become something that doesn't belong to it. Evolution will no longer affect us. Instead we will control how the race develops.
This is a technology I wouldn't want to see developed without the proper safeguards. Think of how this could be abused if access to the programming technology got in the wrong hands…
I want to see a practical MWR (minimal waste reactor). A nuclear reactor containing multiple cores alternating fusion and fission reactions. The benefit is a machine that recycles its own fuel and does not generate radioactive waste products. Once the fuel has been completely spent you get a handful of bleached sand-like material that couldn't hurt you if you ate it. Nuclear research into the concept was nearing practical testing and experimentation but funding was cut and international treaties banning nuclear expansion halted development. It would be a safe and ideal way to generate energy cleanly, without the common downsides associated with nuclear reactors.
What I don't want to see? Robotic equipment and automation displacing too many human workers.
Humans could have their bodies slowly replaced with a simple injection of inorganic stem cells that would replace the organic ones and take over the normal functions of his body. Afterward the cells could be reprogrammed to modify the body and enhance it in ways that the organic cells could not. Immortality and a brain with the calculative processing power of a supercomputer that far exceeds the computer of today and even those of the future. That brain would be capable of interfacing with other transhumans and the internet of the future and "download" updates to enhance it further. Trivial things like sleep and deceases would cease to exist and we as a race will take the final step in distancing us from mother nature by become something that doesn't belong to it. Evolution will no longer affect us. Instead we will control how the race develops.
This is a technology I wouldn't want to see developed without the proper safeguards. Think of how this could be abused if access to the programming technology got in the wrong hands…
The basic premise of the anime Ghost in the Shell comes to mind, where a vast majority of human beings have computer enhanced bodies and internet connections in the back of their necks. Funny thing I remember about the series was that while a lot of the cyber-terrorism and viruses let loose wreaked havoc with robotic devices and androids, the terrorism and viruses never seemed to affect the human beings with cybernetic enhancements unless they were directly loaded into that person's brain through their own input interface. It always struck me as a little weird that things were like that.
It sounds incredibly weird to me, especially when I think about how it might change your daily life with things like buying health insurance. You'd have to get virus protection for your brain included in your policy.
It sounds incredibly weird to me, especially when I think about how it might change your daily life with things like buying health insurance. You'd have to get virus protection for your brain included in your policy.
Don't buy norton!!
i'm actually not wanting to see this. even with "proper safeguards" nothing ever works as intended, and could totally screw everyone over.
i'm actually not wanting to see this. even with "proper safeguards" nothing ever works as intended, and could totally screw everyone over.
Heh yeah. Those are some of the extreme cases that this form of technology promises.
Provided that this is possible, one of the biggest hurdles that it would have to jump over are all kinds of ethical questions that will undoubtedly be raised. Things like "Are we allowed to take such a drastic step?" or "Can we literally abandon humanity and become something "better"?" Another question that might be asked is whether or not inorganic life forms should be considered "living". The church will have a field day with that one.
Naturally this technology will initially be available to the privileged members of the eastern and western society. If you're poor/unemployed/homeless or otherwise living in a third world country, you'll probably be left behind. That runs the risk of creating a society of master race that dominates the lesser ones. Quite the bleak future there.
Even if inorganic life is impossible or not, different forms of advancements are currently promising to change the human being forever.
The union between humans and computers become increasingly closer. Voice recognition software and eye movement interface will eventually replace keyboards and mice. These types of devices already exist and only need to be polished a bit before being introduced to the averaged homes. Some theorize that one day computers will reach a state of self awareness or even worse, "singularity". Singularity is a hypothesized event when computers become capable of designing an even better computer that in return can design a much better computer and so on. It would be a state where human involvement where completely cut out of this development and technological advancements would start to move at a page where ordinary people simply couldn't follow or understand. However some believe that this does not need to be the end of humanity. At this stage it is quite believable that the difference between humans and computers will be so blurred that it would be impossible to draw the line. Future computer interfaces would be hardwired to the human consciences and the human creativity would trigger this singularity. This marriage between our brain and computers would bring the best of both worlds. Human ingenuity and the calculative power of the machine. In this scenario humanity wouldn't be destroyed, rather transformed.
Finally here are my 3 favorite inventions as of late.
Prosthetic limbs can now be made to answer nerve impulses. The early models that were tested, with success, allowed basic movements in the major joints of the arm like elbows and wrists in addition to opening and closing the palm.
Here's an example of the prototype arm. If you haven't seen this before, let me assure you that this is not a hoax.
That last scene that was cut early in the video was of two people with biotic arms shaking hands. Now the interesting thing is that these were only prototypes. More advanced models are being tested today that include finer movements like finger movements. Eventually these arms could allow these people to play a piano. If that is not enough then the next feature that these arms will sport are feedback information that will allow those people to sense touch and heat through these arms.
Another "cyborg" implant that exists today is an artificial ear or Cochlear Implants. It's a hearing aid for those who are completely deaf. It picks up sounds and transmit it directly to the cochlear nerves that allows the brain to process the information. This has already passed the prototype face is being used for those who are born deaf.
Finally the last of the trifecta that I like to mention is the development of eye implants designed to give sight to the blind. At the moment it's still in the development stage. The original prototype gave the subject the ability to see the difference between light and darkness but not much more. Today the advances have brought us much closer to the equivalent of our sight and hopefully it too will reach the final production stage.
What I wanna see: - anything that aids in the curing of diseases. - anything that is more friendly to the environment. - anything that can make people independent (like an improved version of the device that can pull water out of thin air. Yes. Such a thing ALREADY EXISTS. You can pull water out of thin air).
What I dont wanna see: - anything that aids in the surveillance and tracking and tracing and spying on the people. - anything that is about killing people.
Another "cyborg" implant that exists today is an artificial ear or Cochlear Implants. It's a hearing aid for those who are completely deaf. It picks up sounds and transmit it directly to the cochlear nerves that allows the brain to process the information. This has already passed the prototype face is being used for those who are born deaf.
I'd like to see that improve. I knew a kid in high school who had that, but the problem was that he talked like a robot.
His Dad told me he hears everything in the MS robot voice (I forgot what it was called), so that's what he hears and that's the only way that he knows how to speak.
His Dad told me he hears everything in the MS robot voice (I forgot what it was called), so that's what he hears and that's the only way that he knows how to speak.
…Oh the potential… :) Those computer voices come in all sorts of tones and accents now. Using the right voice you could end up having the poor kid talking like Pee-Wee Herman, Tiny Tim, Sponge bob… Hehehehe, the possibilities are endless ^__^
Want to see: 1. Sex robots. It ain't right, but it's hot. And some of us are getting desperate here. 2. Less corporate control over our health. I'm one of those guys who believe that we would have readily available cures for cancer if the companies weren't just trying to keep us sick to make as much money off of us as possible. No joke, those guys are corrupt. Not exactly a new technology, but it would allow for far greater medical technology to come to us than currently does. Corporations are heartless. 3. A technology of some kind to make people aware of all the crap in the world they could change. Starvation shouldn't be a problem in our world, some countries are producing more food than they consume or sell and it goes to waste. Might not solve world hunger, but if people were aware of that kind of stuff and demanded action, it would put a big dent in it. 4. A damned hover car. I was promised a freaking hover car, and I want my hover car! 5. More energy efficient and conserving technology. I rather like the environment. 6. Robot Jesus. His time has come. 7. Robot Cthulhu. Keep things interesting in our new world of Machine Gods. 8. Sex robots. Can't stress this enough, I know it's frowned on, but again, desperate. 9. Robo-suits. It would greatly help in construction work, it would help the handicap, and it would help save lives in law enforcement. Not Iron Man level, obviously, but something more down to Earth and realistic. I've seen some stuff that makes this the most likely thing on my list to come about. 10. Better prosthetic limbs and brain-machine-body interfacing technology. They working on wires that can send brain signals from the brain to the legs without dealing with the spine, really good for paralyzed folks. 11. Something that'll give me immortality. Death can kiss my butt, I want to live forever. I want to outlive the universe, I want to live so long there is nothing left but me and the void, and then only me. Immortality rocks.
ok my needs are simple. I want something to replace toliet paper. I don't care what and I don't care how it works. But taking paper into your asshole and moving the paper around until the poop goes away is just primative. Then you get nasty peoplev who can't whipe walking around all day with stinkfists contaminating everything they touch, its just nasty. Its time for a change! I'm tired of toliet paper! Oh and that transporter thing in the Fly looked badass. Lets work on that too.
Prosthetic limbs can now be made to answer nerve impulses. The early models that were tested, with success, allowed basic movements in the major joints of the arm like elbows and wrists in addition to opening and closing the palm.
Here's an example of the prototype arm. If you haven't seen this before, let me assure you that this is not a hoax.
the government is actually testing these on maimed Iraqi/afghan vets. i saw a news post on it on the pentagon channel.
but that will lead to the first one, the slow over lap of human machine….
Prosthetic limbs can now be made to answer nerve impulses. The early models that were tested, with success, allowed basic movements in the major joints of the arm like elbows and wrists in addition to opening and closing the palm.
the government is actually testing these on maimed Iraqi/afghan vets. i saw a news post on it on the pentagon channel.
but that will lead to the first one, the slow over lap of human machine….
While it may be true that veteran amputees are in abundance, they are not exclusive test subjects. The very first man to undergo this procedure was an electrician who lost both his arms in a near fatal accident involving high voltage cables. You can see a quick glimpse of him at the end of that video. The one who's about to shake the woman with his robotic arm. The woman that the news broadcast was focusing on was a veteran yes. She was the center of the attention there because she was the first woman to receive an arm like that.
I want the cars that use compress air tanks to get on the market already! I've been waiting for two years now since I saw it on the Discovery channel. That or green power sources to become cheaper and more readly aviable.
I don't want to see any light sabers(plasma would be used instead of light). To many nerds would end up killing people……we have a bad enough rep without murder :D
I'd like to see/feel total immersion video games, like "Better than Life" in Red Dwarf… but without the addiction factor that they had to contend with, of course.
I'd want to know first, what happens if it crashes. Will an "error in 0xc00000e9" cause me psychological damage. And suppose spammers subvert it, and instead of an hour of wild sex in zero gravity I get mentally prompted to buy bucketloads of "v1agra" and to invest in online casinos that no-one's ever heard of?
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