Growing old
and the idea that death may be around the corner is one of the ever present
realities of life. Or is it? Immortality is a major idea among many popular
movies and works of fiction in this day and age because, let’s face it, the
idea of being able to live forever is exciting to say the least.
While our
physical bodies grow old and deteriorate, it has been proposed that in years to
come it may be possible to upload the entire human consciousness into a
computer or virtual machine. This will effectively make the ‘person’ – if you
can call them that now that they are without a physical, human, body –
immortal. It is also hoped that a software replica of the person will be
created in the form of a holographic virtual body to replace their deteriorated
human body.
This is not
the stuff of science fiction, this is hypothesised based on current research. Neurosynaptic
computer chips (machines that mimic the neurons and synapses of the brain) are
currently being developed and there has been promising progress to date. These chips
may have the ability to learn and remember as though they were real brain
cells. The implication of this is that we will be able to keep learning and ‘living’
well beyond the death of our original human bodies.
This begs the
question: will such beings be considered human? Or will we end up with a Blade Runner-esque future? I guess we
will just have to wait and see.
Today, we can communicate with the Internet via our computers and cell phones. But in the future, the Internet will be everywhere - in wall screens, furniture, on billboards, and even in our glasses and contact lenses. When we blink, we will go online.
There are several ways we can put the Internet on a lens. The image can be flashed from our glasses directly through the lens of our eyes and onto our retinas. The image could also be projected onto the lens, which would act as a screen. Or it might be attached to the frame of the glasses, like a small jeweler’s lens. As we peer into the glasses, we see the Internet, as if looking at a movie screen. We can then manipulate it with a handheld device that controls the computer via a wireless connection. We could also simply move our fingers in the air to control the image, since the computer recognizes the position of our fingers as we wave them.
A much more advanced version would have the Internet flashed directly through our contact lenses by inserting a chip and LCD display into the plastic. Babak A. Parviz and his group at the University of Washington in Seattle are laying the groundwork for the Internet contact lens, designing prototypes that may eventually change the way we access the Internet.
He foresees that one immediate application of this technology might be to help diabetics regulate their glucose levels. The lens will display an immediate readout of the conditions within their body. But this is just the beginning. Eventually, Parviz envisions the day when we will be able to download any movie, song, Web site, or piece of information off the Internet into our contact lens. We will have a complete home entertainment system in our lens as we lie back and enjoy feature-length movies. We can also use it to connect directly to our office computer via our lens, then manipulate the files that flash before us. From the comfort of the beach, we will be able to teleconference to the office by blinking.
This may alter the educational system. In the future, students taking a final exam will be able to silently scan the Internet via their contact lens for the answers to the questions, which would pose an obvious problem for teachers who often rely on rote memorization. This means that educators will have to stress thinking and reasoning ability instead. Your glasses may also have a tiny video camera in the frame, so it can film your surroundings and then broadcast the images directly onto the Internet. People around the world may be able to share in your experiences as they happen. Whatever you are watching, thousands of others will be able to see it as well. Parents will know what their children are doing. Lovers may share experiences when separated. People at concerts will be able to communicate their excitement to fans around the world. Inspectors will visit faraway factories and then beam the live images directly to the contact lens of the boss. (Or one spouse may do the shopping, while the other makes comments about what to buy.)
Winston Pi Sources: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1028876/Contact-lenses-boost-sight-sleep.html http://www.technologyreview.com/news/515666/contact-lens-computer-like-google-glass-without-the-glasses/
One new line of research is to try to reconstruct the precise image that the brain is thinking of, so that one might be able to create a video of a person’s thoughts. In this way, one might be able to make a video recording of a dream.
Since time immemorial, people have been fascinated by dreams, those ephemeral images that are sometimes so frustrating to recall or understand. Hollywood has long envisioned machines that might one day send dreamlike thoughts into the brain or even record them, as in movies like Total Recall. All this, however, was sheer speculation.
Until recently, that is. Scientists have made remarkable progress in an area once thought to be impossible: taking a snapshot of our memories and possibly our dreams. The first steps in this direction were taken by scientists at the Advanced Telecommunications Research (ATR) Computational Neuroscience Laboratory in Kyoto. They showed their subjects a pinpoint of light at a particular location. Then they used an fMRI scan to record where the brain stored this information. They moved the pinpoint of light and recorded where the brain stored this new image. Eventually, they had a one-to-one map of where scores of pinpoints of light were stored in the brain. These pinpoints were located on a 10 × 10 grid.
Then the scientists flashed a picture of a simple object made from these 10 × 10 points, such as a horseshoe. By computer they could then analyze how the brain stored this picture. Sure enough, the pattern stored by the brain was the sum of the images that made up the horseshoe.
In this way, these scientists could create a picture of what the brain is seeing. Any pattern of lights on this 10 × 10 grid can be decoded by a computer looking at the fMRI brain scans.
In the future, these scientists want to increase the number of pixels in their 10 × 10 grid. Moreover, they claim that this process is universal, that is, any visual thought or even dream should be able to be detected by the fMRI scan. If true, it might mean that we will be able to record, for the first time in history, the images we are dreaming about. Of course, our mental images, and especially our dreams, are never crystal sharp, and there will always be a certain fuzziness, but the very fact that we can look deeply into the visual thoughts of someone’s brain is remarkable.
HUMAN AVATARS In the movie Avatar, instead of living our lives as perfect humans. Scientist believe in the year
2154 we might be able to live as alien beings. In the movie, our bodies are
placed in pods, which then allow us to control the motion of specially cloned
alien bodies. In a sense, we are given entirely new bodies to live on a new
planet. In this way, we can better communicate with a native alien population
on other planets. The movie plot thickens when one worker decides to abandon
his humanity and live out his life as an alien, protecting them from
mercenaries.These
surrogates and avatars are not possible today but may be possible in the
future.
Recently, ASIMO has been programmed with a new idea: remote sensing. At Kyoto
University, humans have been trained to control the mechanical motion of robots
by using brain sensors. For example, by putting on an EEG helmet, students can
move the arms and legs of ASIMO by simply thinking. So far, four distinct
motions of the arms and head are possible. This may open the door to another
realm of AI: robots controlled by the mind.
Such an arrangement might actually prove useful for space exploration, when we have
to manage a permanent moon base. Our surrogates may perform all the dangerous
tasks of maintaining the moon base, while the astronauts are safely back on
earth. The astronauts would have the super strength and superpowers of the robots
while exploring a hazardous alien landscape. (This would not work if the
astronauts are on the earth controlling surrogates on Mars, however, since radio
signals take up to 40 minutes to go from the earth to Mars and back. But it
would work if the astronauts were sitting safely in a permanent base on Mars
while the surrogates went out and performed dangerous tasks on the Martian surface.)
Life spans have increased dramatically over the past few
centuries and are expected to continue to do so well into the future. Modern
medicine and a deeper understanding of what it is that makes us healthy have
played a large role in lengthening our lives. It is predicted that with
advancements in technology and medicine humans will continue to live for longer
periods of time.
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology (the manipulation of matter on an atomic,
molecular, and supramolecular scale), is expected be crucial in future medicine.
Consumable fluids containing nanorobots which are programmed to attack and reconstruct
the molecular structure of cancer cells and viruses will be available. Some
speculate that nanorobots may be able to slow or reverse the aging process,
directly leading to an increased life expectancy. There is currently research
into nanorobots, about the size of 4 human hairs, which will be able to perform
surgeries at a minute scale.
Stem Cells
Stem cells (undifferentiated biological cells that can differentiate
into specialized cells and can divide, through mitosis, to produce more stem
cells), like nanotechnology, are expected to play a large role in future
medicine. While some consider research into stem cells in this day and age to
be controversial due to the involvement and manipulation of the human embryo, I
believe that stem cell research is a positive thing and will help improve lives
in the future. Stem cells potentially may help us grow new organs and limbs and
possibly even replace our dying, aging body parts with fresh ones. This will of
course increase human life expectancy.
Weather forecasts are now deeply engrained in contemporary culture. Our outfit for the day or whether we need an umbrella to protect us from the rain is all dependent on what our trusty weather forecasts predict. In fact with the technology we have today, meteorologists can predict weather changes on an hourly basis or what the weather might be like in months to come.
One of our biggest problems today are natural disasters. Constantly, people and their homes are lost to natural disasters such as Tsunamis and Earthquakes. With technology today, our Richter scales are able to determine the magnitude of earthquakes and the severity of tremors they send. However, similarly to weather forecasts, our predictions of natural disasters, our readings and predictions are often inaccurate and untrustworthy.
By the year 2100, I believe that geophysists will have mapped out all the faults in the Earth's crust, extending 50kms below the surface.Accordingly, computer simulations can exactly predict when and where earthquakes will occur and the exact magnitudes of the earthquakes. This will completely transform our outlooks towards natural disasters as we will no longer be in constant fear by virtue of comprehensive preventative measures that can be taken place.
This is to say, people will understand when to vacate buildings which may be too weak and dangerous, avoid holidays that may be in danger zones, ensure all hazardous chemicals are securely stored allowing casualties to be drastically minimalised. By the year 2100, natural disasters will no longer pose as threats as serious as they are today.
Phone has become a more and more essential component of our
daily lives. It not only let us communicates, but it includes other functions
such as listening to music, taking pictures and surf the net. It’s a
combination of everything we want and need. However, the new designs of what
future phones might looks like, excites us for what the future might have
installed for us. The following model is one of many designs that we might have
in the future.
This glass design gives a clean and simple element compared
with other phones. The problem it might
bring is the care you have to put in in order to keep the glass safe. Other
than that, all aspects of this phone are positive and “noob friendly” so that
even elders can use them to their max potential.
When it comes to global warming, must of us can't event begin to fathom the extinction of all our favourite animals. However, the cruel reality is that if we proceed harming the environment at our current rate, by the year 2100, the significant majority of all species of animals would have long faced extinction.
Scientists predict that by 2050, sea levels will change drastically due to a rise in temperature and ice caps melting. Animals such as the Emperor penguin will have almost immediately halved in population due to a change in habitat. Breeding patterns would have to be adapted accordingly but are likely to only prolong the existence of Emperor penguins for a few more years. Heartbreaking, I know! But there's more bad news.
Along with the Emperor penguins, thousands of other species of birds will also have extinguished due to the harsh change in environments. Another factor to consider is the food chain. The food chain is a natural law which governs all species of animals allowing us to coexist with each other. A small disruption in the food chain will cause catastrophic problems for other species of animals as well. For example, the extinction of Emperor penguins will lead to a forced change in diet for all predators of the Emperor penguin as well as allowing animals hunted by Emperor penguins to overpopulate.
However, the idea is if we create enough awareness and ensure we do our part in being environmentally conscious and friendly, by the year 2100 we will still be able to live with all the animals which we love.
Attributed to rapid technological advancements in the 21st century, it is not a surprise that concerns such as global warming and overpopulation have incited the the possibility for relocation in the year 2100.Whilst I believe that the significant majority of society will remain living on Earth, it would be most likely true for there to be development and research on The Moon .
By 2100, there will be rapid, cheap and safe access to The Moon, allowing human beings to freely commute between the two locations.Indeed, in contrast to views of how far away The Moon is from Earth in contemporary society, on the basis of efficient transportation, human beings would not be astounded by the notion of travelling to The Moon and rather be constantly expecting faster and more efficient means of travel.
There would be a multiplicity of moon colonies that would be entirely livable and potentially serve as homes for human beings. By virtue of the south polar region having more access to water, it would be more likely that the bulk of these colonies would be located in this vicinity.If need be, thousands of new homes could be built in mere days and relocation would no longer be out of the question.
The Moon would now be a core component of the tourism industry and people would flood in daily to experience life outside of Earth. Undoubtedly, the Apollo landing sites would go down as a historical landmark, allowing human beings to see and appreciate the very beginnings of history on The Moon.
Last but not least, human beings have now completely mastered gravity on The Moon as genetic engineering has allowed people to adapt comfortably to the gravity on The Moon from simulations on Earth.
In general, there will essentially be two
types of aliens, those who come from a civilization that is much underdeveloped
compared to our civilization, but our technologies may still not be advanced
enough for us to be able to conduct space travel to their colonies/planets or
to even send any messages to them (one problem is for the message to reach them
and the other problem is for them to be advanced enough to understand/receive
the message). So even though we know that they do exist but there is still the
difficulty of communicating with them.
The other types of alien are those coming
from a more advanced civilization compared to us. They will be able to discover
Earth and have the ability to pay us a visit sometime in the future. Since, based
on Drake Equation, there are probably 1000 to 100,000,000 civilizations in the
Milky Way alone, and 36.4 million of them may have radio-communication
technology….
There are two possible scenarios for us when
aliens actually arrive on Earth.
The pessimistic view is that they will
invade Earth and make it one of their many colonies in the universe. This view
has been reinforced by many Hollywood movies like War of the Worlds, Skyline,
Independence Day, Battle: Los Angeles, Avengers, Transformers, Pacific Rim, Men
in Black, Cowboys & Aliens and The Day the Earth Stood Still, to name some.
Film: Skyline, source: IMDB website
The optimistic view is that they will be
friends with us and aid us during our development. (I am kind of torn between willing
to live long enough to see aliens and to die before they come so that I don’t
have to picture the scenes where humans are being slaved by extraterrestrial intelligences.)
I
believe that when aliens do come to Earth, they will come quietly and hide in
the dark to monitor the development of our civilization without interfering
with our daily lives. This is probably because I am a fan of Star Trek, and in
it, the most important rule the crew of the Enterprise follow as they're
zipping around the galaxy is the Prime Directive:
"As
the right of each sentient species to live in accordance with its normal
cultural evolution is considered sacred, no Star Fleet personnel may interfere
with the normal and healthy development of alien life and culture. Such
interference includes introducing superior knowledge, strength, or technology
to a world whose society is incapable of handling such advantages wisely. Starfleet personnel
may not violate this Prime Directive, even to save their lives and/or their
ship, unless they are acting to right an earlier violation or an accidental
contamination of said culture. This directive takes precedence over
any and all other considerations and carries with it the highest moral
obligation."
However,
the more realistic scenario will probably be the pessimistic view I mentioned
above. So we must remain cautious and think carefully before we broadcast our
Earth’s coordinates to the furthest points of the Universe.
As
Stephen Hawking puts it, ‘If advanced
spacefaring aliens exploit resources like humans do, we'd better hope they
don't find us anytime soon.’
Here is a video by Stephen Hawking titled, ' Encountering Intelligent Life'
Have you ever thought
of the idea of what would happen if you could remember everything that happened
to you for the rest of your life? Researches
has suggested that a memory device may be implanted in a small number of human
volunteers within two years and the device might become available to anyone
within five to ten years. You may ask, “and what does that mean for us ?” well
this development of brain area allows us to overcome the problem of forgetting
things. But this posts another problem, what other excuses could we come up
with other than “My dog ate it !”. However the main concept of the research is
not to restore memory but to expand the capacity to generate memories in the
future.
Telepathic Powers. It has always been a mysterious concept that
people are sceptical about. However, with the help of technology, this concept
has been revealed to us about how telepath communication might be a possibility
in the future. This discovery will allow us to communicate efficiently and
overcome the barrier of communications between individuals that might have a disability
in hearing and talking.
While our
physical bodies grow old and deteriorate, it has been proposed that in years to
come it may be possible to upload the entire human consciousness into a
computer or virtual machine. This will effectively make the ‘person’ – if you
can call them that now that they are without a physical, human, body –
immortal. It is also hoped that a software replica of the person will be
created in the form of a holographic virtual body to replace their deteriorated
human body.
