If you have ever watched any old science fiction TV show or movie, they are always filled with ridiculous notions about what the future - which is either now or in some cases several years ago! - will be like. In 2010 we will have hovercars and anti-matter transporters. In 2012 the world will end. Many science fiction shows set in the future still do this, hypothesising that technology will take us to new, unexplored heights. So, my question to you is thus: where do YOU think science and technology will take us in the future? Have you watched any TV show or movie that has portrayed what you believe might be an accurate representation of the future? Are we setting our sights too high with media, or might we finally be on to something by now?
I love science fiction, but I have to acknowledge that while some of the smaller bits were certainly feasible (such as Star Trek's datapad) most of the larger bits of tech (such as FTL travel) will continue to stay in the realm of fiction because for each hypothesis posed by scientists there will always be a number of issues in nature that will prevent them from working.
A lot of the tech in science fiction is plausible, but writers often underestimate how long it will take. People have believed flying cars would be possible in the 21st century for a while, but we’re only now designing and testing the possibility. Personally, I think by the end of the century, we will have VR that will not make many motion sick, have flying cars be only available for the rich, and have A.I. replace the majority of non-creative jobs. The reason I believe these statements is because we are already on the path for these things to be a reality and because they’re not crazy advanced.
I've been reading a lot of Battle Angel Alita lately, and so much of that is all about cyborgs (and what it means to be human, but that's separate). That plus a few particular TED Talks I've seen lately makes me think that we might be rapidly approaching a cyborg age. Right now in the real world we already have two technologies in particular: prosthetic limbs that attach directly to remaining tendons to create replacement feet with no learning curve at all, instant mastery at the cost of only controlling one joint (you can move your new ankle/foot, but not toes); and electronically controlled limbs that control to nerves to receive electric impulses and be controlled that way, which do have a learning curve. Once we combine these two technologies, the possibilities will be endless. You could replace both legs and be able to control each joint independently with just a little practice, or maybe all four limbs even. And why not go further and live with an organic brain but entirely robotic everything else? I'm just saying it's possible. Your brain can send electrical outputs to muscles and receive electrical inputs from sensory nerves, so why can't it do the same thing with electric motors and digital cameras? It's only a matter of time.
Wait... you know how in Big Hero 6, the kid had invented a thing that you attach to your brain and it runs on electronic impulses with Bluetooth to control those tiny things? The scary thing is that, based off of the info from above, that's possible, and could be used for bad things. With brain nerve controlled limbs, what if you attached electronic weapons? Like, after a learning curve, you use your nerves to fire, but the weapons are a part of a you.
I’m scared now. I love how we have come so far with technology that these amazing things are possible, but I am concerned that when it comes time to stop, people won’t be willing to halt their advancements, resulting in catastrophe.
