Themes Technology, History and Destiny

477_291x218

Kevin Kelly says technology is evolving -- just like humans did. So where is it going? Where will it take us? What will it do next?

Inventor-cum-prognosticator Ray Kurzweil argues that a future beyond "mere" humanity may not be as far in the future as we think. Adventurer Bill Stone, meanwhile, sees humanity's destiny tied to robotics, space exploration and the quest to find life elsewhere in the universe. And hardware developer Jeff Hawkins outlines how a new understanding of the human brain will advance our technology in unimaginable ways.

Philosopher Nick Bostrom wonders whether we ought to take steps to alter our fundamental nature to solve humanity's intrinsic problems: death and extinction. (It has been shown to work, after all: author Steven Johnson's tour of one of history's deadliest epidemics underscores the life-saving power of new technology -- in this case, a map.) And strategic planner Thomas Barnett talks about what we might do with technology developed to destroy: the deadly efficient innovations of war.

Email to a friend »

 

Subscribe to TED

New talks are released weekly. Be the first to know!

Newsletter:  
Podcasts:   Video  |  Hi-Res video  |  Audio
Blogs:         TED Blog  |  TED Prize Blog

Discuss this theme: Technology, History and Destiny

  • Jason Newcombe – May 8 2008

    If there is nothing new under the sun it is surely exciting to see others who make the effort in seeking to understand the richness of it all that contributes to shaping our future. Despite humankind's most profound discoveries and achievement, we find more unknowns, more possibilities, endless opportunities and the ever present threat of a seemingly corresponding existential crisis. Is there any way to earn an income by pondering these wonders? Some people seem to have found a way and I try not to be envious. (Is there a place for me?)

  • Fake Steve Ballmer – March 1 2008

    Computing is the way to the future! There is not enough here on this! Specifically encouraging people to use Vista!

    http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com

  • José Tavares – February 29 2008

    Bruce:

    The 'making' of Science and Technology involve our abilty to reason; and, both demand from its subjects what nature has 'given' them to reach such exponents: Emotion, Feeling, Consciousness...

    Knowledge is fundamental... but nothing without understanding.

    So, the fundamental aim should be to understand and to understand this abilitie's evolution.

    Industry is, essentially, mass-production of said technology (certainly, as a by-product, more knowledge is also 'produced).

    Actually, we're preety good at dealing with reason... but darn clumsy managing emotions & feelings. That might drive societal implosions and 'power' is a definitive symptom.

    Perhaps 'undoing' human complexity we might push understanding evolution a little further.


    Cheers!

  • Bruce LaDuke – July 1 2007

    Science (to know) is empirical knowledge and technology (techno 'logic') is rational knowledge. Industry is the science of making 'things,' the product of which is often confused with technology. When you talk about the future of technology, you're talking about the future of knowledge. Knowledge is exponentially growing and at the same time demanding that we bring it into one instead of many. In the future of knowledge:

    1) Undo complexity and chaos will over-run logic and society will collapse **OR**
    2) Logic will over-run undo complexity and chaos and we will enter a space age.

    Singularity and the NBIC Convergence are one progression and have one end. Knowledge will evolve and converge at the same time. The endpoint, singularity, will be realized when we mechanize the process of knowledge creation. Then both science and technology will explode. But we will only realize this end by learning to work knowledge as one, instead of many. If we continue to work science and technology as many knowledges, driven by the paradigm of industrial competition, society will implode.