Technology of the Future (Page 2)

ghostgeek: What about a technological innovation that would, for example, stop people being greedy. Something that would completely change the way they think. Perfected mind control. Have everybody marching in step. I'm sure it could be done. Electrodes implanted into the brain, that sort of thing. Never again would humanity cause trouble. Never again would it think for itself. The perfect society created by science. Who could argue with that?

Wonderbunny: A lot of people would argue with that. And I don't think it's necessary. We just need to appeal to people's better nature.

ghostgeek: We've been appealing to people's better nature for millenia. The result is all around us. You either accept people as they are or you implant the electrodes.

Wonderbunny: The point is the society we live in isn't designed to bring out the best in people. It's all about competition. The rat race.

ghostgeek: Societies are composed of human beings. It is the interaction of people with each other that makes society what it is. If you want to change society you first have to change people. Implant the electrodes.

Wonderbunny: I'm not going to give up hope in human nature that easily.

ghostgeek: This is a question of the optimist versus the pessimist. People are not all the same. That is why I can't see society changing in the way you want. It would require everyone to think alike. You can get people to behave the same, by compulsion, but not to think the same.

Wonderbunny: Agreed but things could be improved upon given the right environment.

ghostgeek: Yes, there is always room for improvement. I am not against that. What I detest is the thought that people should be the ones to change. That is the first step towards tyranny. Instead, change the environment to suit peoples' nature.

Wonderbunny: I meant make an environment that brings out the best in people. Just as some environments are conducive to learning. People need to understand that mutual cooperation rather that competetiveness would make them happier.

ghostgeek: That is where we part company Wonderbunny. The part where people NEED to understand something. Accept people the way they are. Make the system fit peoples' weaknesses. It will be far more successful. This is the lesson of history.

Wonderbunny: So you would deny people the facts on which to base their decisions?

ghostgeek: Give people all the facts you want Wonderbunny, I have no objection. Just don't ask them to come to the conlusion that pleases you.

Wonderbunny: I think they would if society wasn't so geared towards competition.

ghostgeek: This is what I fear Wonderbunny. You want people to behave in a certain way. But it's only one step from wanting to forcing. All for peoples' good, of course. It's been done before.

Zanjan: Ghost: "It would require everyone to think alike. You can get people to behave the same, by compulsion, but not to think the same. "

"The part where people NEED to understand something."

Sorta like the emancipation of women and abolition of slavery, the preservation of environment, and necessity of computers? We may not need global warming happening so quickly either but we need to accept it's here and what it can do.

No doubt there will be a few dinosaurs for another generation, clinging to some vines, but a wave is a wave - it sweeps away old mindsets and replaces them with something cleaner and better. Why is it so bad to have all the same, natural and willing thinking on an issue if it produces something good?

Perhaps the issue at hand lies with those who demand it to happen instantly, seeing no graduation or diversity of style. Such things take time, for the ideas to spread across geographical zones and cultures. However, there's a prescribed time for acceptance. One rides the wave or gets swept into the rocks by it.

funsummertimes: Nano technology

DEEP_acheleg: a 51st state on the moon!!!

now, about this dilithium fusion engine- does it create a Alcubierre drive warp bubble?

Slaughterin: I prefer the technology of the past.

We might refine a few things in the future. Make knowing what time it is faster

Wonderbunny: How can it be any faster than the time it takes to look at the clock? That's fast enough for me.

Slaughterin: I guess you'll have to wait and see.

I'm not sure those in ancient times thought their methods were slow.

Slaughterin: ...What I meant though is that simple things will be built on and made faster/easier. A simple thing as knowing what time it is as an example

Wonderbunny: lol lol

DEEP_acheleg: i am hoping for apparel holo-projectors. that way i never need to get dressed, nor do i need waste time on matching my garments, clothes shopping or keeping up with styles, as the holo-projector will make all fashion choices for me + i wont have to partially disrobe to defecate or urinate

hitsugaya252: I think using robots to do a job is inevitable. This will definitely lead to losing nice jobs. Next will be a technology to read your mind and do your tasks. Another will an invention to replace fuels and an invention for fast transport.