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What is the next big thing?
In all fields of science we are continously broadening our horizon, we learn more and more about the world and ourselves and use this knowledge to discover, invent and improve.
Inspired by TED 2011's motto "The Rediscovery of Wonder", my question to you is - of all the current developments, which do you think will be the next big thing?
Providing links to TED talks or other sources of information would be very nice.
Topics:
discovery innovation
Jake Yang
Richard Krooman 50+
Of which the first steps are comming closer and closer. My personal guess is that within 50 years we'll have a building up on mars in which a few people can actually live.
And another big thing is that humans might be able to live a lot (and I mean a LOT) longer than they have in previous generations.
Richard Lyon
Scott MacAfee
Letitia Falk 10+
David Rodrigues 30+
hyper-collaborative structures of organization, based on human networks.
I hope leading to "networked intelligence and wisdom" and finally "networked participative democracy".
Sergii Romankov
Sanket Gupta
Dylan Gonzalez
I agree with you that the next big thing will be social change. As a matter of fact, I feel that no amount of technological innovation would mean a thing without changing the way we think. As far as the social issues you bring up, I feel that a much broader issue is the roots of those which is that a man should not have power over men.
Alex Blanes 10+
“Power itself must be abolished—and not solely because of a refusal to be dominated, which as the heart of all traditional struggles—but also, just as violently, in the refusal to dominate. Intelligence cannot, can never be in power because intelligence consists of this double refusal" [p. 47-58 Semiotext(e)]
Tim blackburn 30+
Letitia Falk 10+
http://www.ted.com/conversations/6425/should_communities_use_interne.html
Niek Hendriks
So the world is gearing itself up for a joy ride they will never forget.
As an example , the word of freedom is finally breaking through in the middle-east, people don't take it any longer that they were suppressed and are claiming their rights for freedom. And with success look at Libië and Jemen.
At the same time people all over the world are demonstrating against corporations and banking establishment .
After they saw how they got robbed for there own eyes. And also there is success.
These are just two examples, and there are many more if you look at the newspaper.
This is happening now and will become an record in history, so my answer to the next big thing: The way people look at the world
Tyler Clark
vishnu narang
that would be most scarier....
Lynn Lee
Craig Patterson 10+
He speaks that we are drowning in data while starving for wisdom.
I couldn't agree more !
natasha nikulina 50+
Sorry for the delay with my response, I haven't seen your comment.
I'll try to find the book, you recommend, I guess it's true
" that we are drowning in data while starving for wisdom",
though I' ve never thought about it that way,
Thank you!
natasha nikulina 50+
Hopefully it happens some day.
Jacob Miller 10+
natasha nikulina 50+
Jacob Miller 10+
Seriously though I do think one day everything will be unified I'm just not sure it will be under the banner of science.
natasha nikulina 50+
What if... there will be no science , there will be only science, there will be no art, there will be only art...
and list can go on and on... otherwise what ''unity'' means ?
Actually, i took the idea from T.S. Eliot
"There would be no dance and there is only the dance."
Did I make myself plain? I am doubting :) It's difficult to describe something I have never seen or experienced,
and most likely won't.
Jacob Miller 10+
natasha nikulina 50+
I do enjoy it, it's what i call the"mythic language of quantum fluctuation", the experience of being not in time!
Great!
Craig Patterson 10+
I agree with you, that a major block for humanity to understand is that 'conspicuous consumption and opulence' isn't and can't be a key value if we want a peaceful and harmonious future. Or as Thoreau once said,' I am convinced that life can be a pleasure and a pastime if lived simply and wisely. And the cost of anything is the amount of life one must spend in order to acquire it'. Both of those quotes significantly impacted me over 40 years ago when I was in college and continue to run through my consciousness today.
I see a direct connection between what I consume and what will be left for my grandson. We live on a limited planet with unlimited desire for 'mine'.
Regarding living in the city or the country, again for me its the yin and yang. Both are essential for the other. Our economic systems often undermine that balance as we are seeing today. Perhaps its all part of the cosmic plan to reduce human populations to a more reasonable number regarding the carrying capacity of this once garden planet.
I believe we must all understand that unchecked growth leads to cancer whether its the cells in our bodies or our numbers and impacts on this planet. We have reached and surpassed the limits to growth as the report of that name identified over 40 years ago. Perhaps its time we take it seriously.
Craig Patterson 10+
I would just offer the way we frame a problem is critical to how we see a solution. And that is true whether we are talking nano or integrative technologies and science. We can never be fully objective nor should we if we give adequate consciousness to understanding the subjective nature of our questions. Again the yin and the yang.
I also realize our problem is temporary as is our time here. I just wish we had more connection to wisdom and less to data as a species. Unfortunately there is little evidence of it.
And yes, I know America is the problem when it comes to consumerism and many other issues as well. I struggle with that daily and feel pretty impotent in the face of it. Although I try. I asked the question, what is the carbon footprint of just one day of football in America? Could it be bigger than some third world countries? Its a scary concept indeed.
Yes, I have a car. I live 65 miles from a major town but only drive about twice a month. I take the bus too.
Thomas Jones 100+
I agree, the way we frame a problem is critical to how we see a solution.
And, as a result of our exchange, I was thinking about "the problem" - essentially energy consumption.
It seems to me the average person (you, me, Zhang Da Xin, Baridi Awino Oketch ...) will be unwilling to accept a lifestyle that is less than "optimal." On a personal level, we do not seem to be willing to accept even nominal deprivations.
So the next BIG thing might be to find a way to minimize or eliminate our energy consumption in other areas. Areas that are not so "personal."
Also, my direct reply to the question, "What is he next big thing?" is: "Simplicity. (I hope.)"
Perhaps if we could teach ourselves to enjoy a simple life, we could, by example, also teach future generations that fulfillment can be found in simplicity. This would have an impact on our personal (and, obviously, collective) consumption.
As big as the problem seems to be, I think the first step (to resolve most "problems") is to be happy. Not happy with the "stuff" we have or the status we hold ... just be happy. One could say, happy to be alive.
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QUOTE: "I live 65 miles from a major town but only drive about twice a month."
Why?
Not why do you drive twice a month, why do you live 65 miles from a town?
Perhaps you're a farmer?
If not, you would leave a much smaller footprint in a town or a city.
It's a thorny problem.
On the one hand, we can see what needs to be done, on the other hand, we want to live a lifestyle that appeals to us. (And I'm not "picking on you" ... as I say, I share your sentiments. Not only in regards to ecology but also (perhaps) in regards to lifestyle. When I go back to Canada at Christmas time, my wife and I will be looking at a house we might buy. It's about 30 miles from the nearest town.)
Thomas Jones 100+
(I hope.)
Jaime Lubin 10+
Craig Patterson 10+
David Orr, in Earth in mind says we are losing between 50 and 250 species a day. E.O. Wilson talks is similar numbers.
The millennium ecosystem assessment (2005) talks about 60% of ecosystems in the world are in decline.
The legacies of our science, technology and so called "progress" are the direct reasons for these numbers.
It's our collective denial that is part and parcel to the problems we face. Wake up world.
As Pogo said 50 years ago, "we have met the enemy and they is US".
Where is the responsibility, accountability, or liability?
Thomas Jones 100+
Nature is self-regulating. We aren't.
If we do not adapt to our environment it will eliminate us.
This is only a "problem" from our perspective ... nature doesn't care if we are here or not.
And if we are gone, neither will we.
We can talk all we want about it but (and not to be confrontational but to make a point) I'll bet you live in a house or apartment that has heating and air conditioning, you eat meat, buy food that is imported, wear "nice" clothes, take advantage of the amenities in the city or town you live in, travel. You probably have at least one car and probably two. You use electric lights extensively and have many electronic products. You expect your children and grandchildren to live a similar lifestyle and do what you can to make that possible. Perhaps you buy them gifts. You live in a country that has less than 5% of the world's population yet consumes about 40% of its energy. You are probably unwilling to lower your energy consumption by 85% ... or perhaps you are but do not know how. And so on.
Maybe none of that is true. Perhaps you're a vegetarian who rides a bike and lives off the grid ... but your neighbours aren't, don't and won't.
Not only that, in China, where I live, there are 1.3 Billion people who want to live a lifestyle just like yours (or just like your neighbours.)
Nature is self-regulating. We aren't.
Craig Patterson 10+
Don't assume... It makes you look like an (you know what)
I have studied these issues for over 30 years, the problems with consumption and over use, particularly as it relates to America.
Personally my consumption is reflected in that awareness and has been for all of my adult life. For example in summer, i never use air conditioning and my total KW use averages under 400 KW which includes my shop.In winter, it averages around 800 KW. Can you say that?
I am acutely aware of the problems ahead. And that if the world wanted the US standard of living it would take 4 to 5 planets, none of which have been found.
I strongly support conservation across the board and have all of my life. I am not a typical American.
So much for assumptions.
I will end with two quotes from E.O. Wilson who captures my intent.
" A very Faustian choice is upon us; whether to accept our corrosive and risky behavior as the unavoidable price of population and economic growth, or to take stock of ourselves and search for a new environmental ethic."
and
"If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos."
Tell that to all the polluters and your kids and grand kids.
.
Thomas Jones 100+
I didn't assume you did those things I said I "bet" you do and, if you don't, your neighbours do. (And I would still bet you do, do many of the things I mention, minus the a/c and with moderate consumption when measured against other Americans.)
However, I do assume this, you probably leave a larger environmental footprint than 80% of the world's population. Whether you want to or not, the system you live in, and support, has, more or less, co-opted you.
Can I tell you my average power usage? No.
I live in China. And, for example, when a group of apartments are built, they also build a central boiler that provides heat for the community. It is "turned on" November 1st and turned off sometime around May (where I live in Taiyuan.) In the southern parts of China there is no heat provided.
Do I own a car? No.
Do I eat meat? Yes. But not much and only when it is offered. 95% of my diet is vegetarian.
Do I "turn the lights and the taps off?" Yes.
I do "my bit" and, believe it or not, I share your sentiments (minus the emotionalism) ... You see, I look at this through "nature's eyes" and when I do that it does not really matter whether we are here or not. If I look at the situation through "human eyes" it's all a REALLY BIG deal. We seem to have a hard time conceiving of things on any scale other than human.
For instance, E.O. Wilson's quotes are true and meaningful only from the vantage point of a human being. If insects disappear, what would look like chaos to us, would simply be nature adapting. And it would. "Nature" is much bigger than a few sentient beings floating on a mote of dust in a remote part of the universe.
Do I think we should "conserve energy and be responsible environmental citizens?"
Yes.
Do I think we (collectively) will?
No.
Do you?
------
Do you own a car?
Craig Patterson 10+
There in lies the problem. You see yourself separate from nature and not a part of it.
The Sioux Indians said,
"With all beings and all things, we are as relatives"
Only reverence for nature, as no man apart, can hold the promise of sustainable living.
Thomas Jones 100+
Actually, I don't see us as separate from nature. I see as as a part of nature. The fact is, nature is self-regulating and many individual components of nature do not adapt quickly enough to survive and so they are not "selected."
We may be one of those components. We may not. Nature will survive, whether humans do or not is not as certain.
Again, this is only a "problem" from our perspective.
If we don't solve "the problem," nature will.
Mashhur Sattorov
Thomas Jones 100+
Extinctions aren't what's next; extinctions are the norm. By some estimates, about 99.9% of all species that have ever existed are now extinct.
Your grandson, and his grandsons, will adapt to whatever happens ... and then some day, there will be no more grandsons.
We have now. Regardless of what the future holds.
Craig Patterson 10+
What will the transition from 7 Billion to perhaps 1 Billion look like? We have collectively overshot the carrying capacity of this once garden planet. The return to equilibrium will not be pretty nor pleasant. But it will be.
Technology isn't the answer, its the problem, as all of the causes and effects are undeniable now. All the unintended consequences of our incomplete analysis are demanding accountability that we continue to deny.
Hard to say what the tipping points will be, but there is evidence aplenty, if one cares to look with open eyes.
I am very sorry we have collectively taken this path, as I know my grandson with be left with a future that isn't even close to what I inherited 62 years ago. We have failed miserably and its time to acknowledge it.
Acknowledging our denial is the first step in recovery, if its even possible now.
Laurens Rademakers 50+
One sector that seems to be speeding up tremendously is that of low-cost space access.
Private companies are building space vehicles that are much less expensive, more reusable and more reliable than those coming from government-run initiatives.
The context allowing this revolution:
-new materials are becoming available ever more quickly and at ever lower costs
-new engineering techniques, like simulation and prototyping are becoming much lower in cost
-venture capital is seeing the potential whereas governments need this development, so they stimulate and create the market
SpaceX, for example, will build rockets by the hundreds in an industrial assembly-line, as if they're building automobiles.
I think in the next 20 years we'll see an exponential growth in space exploration and space tourism, driven by private companies' technologies.
Austin R 20+
Heitham Saad
Being a follower of contemporary medical research I think that we are on the verge of interesting discoveries on the nano field of medicine. Cyborg humans aren't a sci-fi phenomenon only anymore.