23 replies to this topic

[Dirk_Diggler]

When I was in high school (less than 10 years ago) we went to the computer lab to do computer projects.

Now the schools in my area are giving out iPads to every student at the school. I would have NEVER even thought that would have even been possible back when I was in school. The rapid progression of technology HAS to has some negative consequences...

I am reminded of an old saying that goes something like, "short term gains aren't conducive to long-term success". Or rather, "Haste makes waste".

Perhaps I'm wrong, but it just seems that accelerating this fast will have unforeseen consequences. I'm not saying I'm against progressing society, just that we may have not given much thought to the consequences of these rapid developments in science.

Thoughts?

[Dirk_Diggler]

As an example kids today don't really learn penmanship like they used to. They write on computers and type.

[robomoon]

Check out http://www.longecity.org/forum/topic/51630-uberlebenskampf/page__view__findpost__p__477863 as an initial response to the German forum article Überlebenskampf, Teil 3 (transl: fight for survival, part 3) http://www.longecity.org/forum/topic/51630-uberlebenskampf/page__view__findpost__p__477756 whereas the content of that response contains a description of a research experiment with chips as a snack instead of microchips. Also see a computer translation of the page containing that response http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-res&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.longecity.org%2Fforum%2Ftopic%2F51630-uberlebenskampf%2Fpage__view__findpost__p__477863&lp=de_en&btnTrUrl=Translate too. Unfortunately, there has not been enough progress in microchip usage, so the translation has not been perfected at the moment. So there has not been enough rapid progress in software development.

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/29255198?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0" width="400" height="291" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="

View on Vimeo.

Mobilecast - Mars Travel Entertainment</a> from <a href="

View on Vimeo.

Moon</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

About the embedded video: Research experiment and new interview technique. The interviewer and interviewee as one person who switches between being dull and dumb. Not even the necessary recognition among Internet users has occurred that software for psychology belongs to the most important science for sanity and survival of our population, just like food. Our great population could easily be turned by accident into zero population within one Century, just because of one rapid progress from the wrong research experiment at the wrong place and wrong time.

[niner]

As an example kids today don't really learn penmanship like they used to. They write on computers and type.

My kids have handwriting that's good enough. (they're 9 and 12) But here's another thing: At one time, you could graduate from high school, then spend the rest of your life without writing a paragraph. Today, with so many people communicating on the internet, in fora like this, everyone is learning to write and communicate better. We're becoming more literate in a variety of ways. Are there dangers with a rapid technological progression, if not explosion? Sure. We'd better hope that we have the wisdom to do this right. Like it or not, technology will progress. I hope humans don't screw this up. But hey, what could go wrong?

[corb]

The rapid progression of technology

Rapid progression ?!
I don't know if you realize but the only difference between your childhood and now is that mobile computers have become more accessible. That's about it, and besides all the hype the media is spewing on this, the fact remains that ... we still do the same things on pcs we did in the 80's, we check our mail (now it's facebook but it's pretty much the same concept), we read dictionaries and other sources of information - often time incomplete and not really all that useful and play clumsy virtual reality simulations called games.

If anything we've progressed BACKWARDS because we've gone back to written media. Remember when people used to read the news for you (It's called radio) ? I do.

I really don't see how an ipad can be considered a rapid progression, we've had the technology to build such devices since the early 90's (pda's and whatnot).

[mikeinnaples]

The rapid progression of technology

Rapid progression ?!
I don't know if you realize but the only difference between your childhood and now is that mobile computers have become more accessible. That's about it, and besides all the hype the media is spewing on this, the fact remains that ... we still do the same things on pcs we did in the 80's, we check our mail (now it's facebook but it's pretty much the same concept), we read dictionaries and other sources of information - often time incomplete and not really all that useful and play clumsy virtual reality simulations called games.

If anything we've progressed BACKWARDS because we've gone back to written media. Remember when people used to read the news for you (It's called radio) ? I do.

I really don't see how an ipad can be considered a rapid progression, we've had the technology to build such devices since the early 90's (pda's and whatnot).

Unfortunately you are grossly off base with your comments. I work in the technology field and the difference between 2011 and 1981 is vast.

[corb]

Unfortunately you are grossly off base with your comments. I work in the technology field and the difference between 2011 and 1981 is vast.

I'm not exactly a layman in the field myself and I can agree that if you look at the progress of computers from a computational stand point there has been steady improvement, although I strongly disagree that it is rapid or the difference vast. We would've started making 3d chips long before we were hitting the limits of semi conductor micronisation if we we're indeed progressing rapidly, on the contrary, engineers wait patiently for a technology to outlive it's use even if we have a better one ready to be implemented.

Also you're estimating progress as an engineer, through numbers, but those number have little to do with the actual usefulness of technology. A 2011 ford escort is way more efficient than a mustang from the 60's. Yet they're still used for the same thing. Going from point a to point b, using an engine that burns fossil fuels.

And that is also not what we're talking about here, it's whether the progress of the technology has had effects on society, and as far as I can tell, it hasn't all that much as you'd think, and even if it has it's definitely not negative, or rapid.

[A941]

The rapid progression of technology HAS to has some negative consequences...

You are right, bad things are already happening:

Now the schools in my area are giving out iPads to every student at the school

[ihatesnow]

computer technology http://hubblesite.or...-sound-of-data/

[ihatesnow]

http://futuretimelin...rs-internet.htm

[Lovetolearn]

The amount of computational power you can buy for $1000 has vastly expanded in the last 20 years. However, I feel that hardware is fast outpacing software. Programming really needs to catch up.

[Deeviant]

The amount of computational power you can buy for $1000 has vastly expanded in the last 20 years. However, I feel that hardware is fast outpacing software. Programming really needs to catch up.

If you looked at topic specific programs like solid works, tekla and suites such as mat lab and IDL; you'll see that there have been some rather amazingly advances in the field of software.

[knite]

I don't see much danger coming from the rapid increase in computing power directly.

What I do think will be the test of our species is when the nanomanufacturing techniques brought about with computing is merged with 3D printers. When a single person can print the components for weapons, bombs, even the technical components for a nuclear device, then we will see what humans are really made of.

Edited by knite, 28 July 2013 - 10:14 AM.

[niner]

I don't see much danger coming from the rapid increase in computing power directly.

What I do think will be the test of our species is when the nanomanufacturing techniques brought about with computing is merged with 3D printers. When a single person can print the components for weapons, bombs, even the technical components for a nuclear device, then we will see what humans are really made of.

I disagree with this. America is already saturated with guns, and you can buy bomb components at Bed Bath and Beyond. Maybe you can print parts, but you can't print explosives. The consequences of advanced technology that worry me the most? 1) Societal disruption brought about be massive numbers of human jobs being displaced by robots. 2) Biological weapons created by engineering virulence features into existing viri or creating superviri from scratch. If you want to get really dystopian, maybe these two issues will be combined- an evil government could solve their unemployment/poverty/unrest problems by unleashing a virus that only killed poor people. All they'd have to do is charge a lot for a vaccination.

[knite]

I don't see much danger coming from the rapid increase in computing power directly.

What I do think will be the test of our species is when the nanomanufacturing techniques brought about with computing is merged with 3D printers. When a single person can print the components for weapons, bombs, even the technical components for a nuclear device, then we will see what humans are really made of.

I disagree with this. America is already saturated with guns, and you can buy bomb components at Bed Bath and Beyond. Maybe you can print parts, but you can't print explosives. The consequences of advanced technology that worry me the most? 1) Societal disruption brought about be massive numbers of human jobs being displaced by robots. 2) Biological weapons created by engineering virulence features into existing viri or creating superviri from scratch. If you want to get really dystopian, maybe these two issues will be combined- an evil government could solve their unemployment/poverty/unrest problems by unleashing a virus that only killed poor people. All they'd have to do is charge a lot for a vaccination.

Tailor made viruses are another aspect as well. The reason I think it becomes much more dangerous, despite it being relatively easy to acquire a lot of these destructive materials now, is just how easy it will become to create *advanced* weaponry, all made by a single person. About the most you can expect from a solo person these days is some form of crude explosive, with no real delivery mechanisms (this is why roadside bombs and car bombs are so prevalent in terrorist action). But when a person can suddenly download the blueprints and print up a guided missile that they can fire from 50 miles away from their target, things become much more hairy.

As to your point #1, that's an inevitable part of the move toward nanomanufacturing. There will need to be a shift away from jobs being a necessary thing and into something like a guaranteed minimum income, because there simply wont be enough of them. On the upside, you wont need much money when the cost for any product is the sum total cost of it's constituent elements and the required energy to build it.

Edited by knite, 28 July 2013 - 09:21 PM.

[revenant]

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[Layberinthius]

Eventually we will run out of applications for technology and do the smart thing and hopefully go back to what we were doing in the 1950s, building a suitable case for going into outer space, which is what we should have never stopped doing.

The increase of consumer technology is nothing but the human race masturbating to itself over how great and pimp it is for having the next shiney new thing. Well what else are they going to do with their time? ICE Cars have almost reached perfection.

As far as I'm concerned the cancellation of the space program was dumb people winning over intelligent people.

2020, Everyone will have a smart phone.
2030, Everyone will have a tablet.
2040, Everyone will have VR goggles.
2050, Everyone will have an electric car.
2060, Holographic projection in every home.
2070, Sustainable solar power in every home.

Then what? We have mastered the art of earth based transportation, now what will people have to spend money on? VR Goggles that already go beyond 4k resolution? The majority of the human race cannot even see beyond 4K material.

I suspect after this that there will be a large depression in technology, either that or we will come up with something new to waste money on, like artificial eyes that go up to 8k or 20k and can see in infrared/Ultraviolet. Hearing that goes up to 96KHz and down to 1Hz. An inbuilt radio in every brain that covers 30MHz to 1GHz. And dont forget nanobots. and enhancements like an inbuilt brainwave recording computer which can record and playback memories or dreams and manipulate them.

What could make it unsustainable is the constant pollution of the earth with obsolete products. Sooner or later we will have to recycle as much as possible, but even that wouldnt stop us.

Edited by Layberinthius, 25 August 2013 - 05:36 AM.

[Layberinthius]

You know what the worlds problem is? The ones with money dont see fun in the simple things and listen too much to other peoples opinions, this is a result of schooling and is the result of being stuck in a high school with other stupid kids telling you that this or that sucks, even though they are just jealous.

Nobody plays with go carts anymore, its always SUV to here, SUV to there, there just isnt anyone willing to slalom down the side of a hill anymore. You know what excites me? A wooden dash, I made myself out of a piece of 2x4, a couple of gauges and rack and pinion steering stolen from a Honda.

Or go down the side of a riverside in the middle of a forest. With nothing but a piece of rope to get back up to the other side. And go back down again.

And why hasnt anyone bothered to pick up guerilla seeding? making their own forests instead of always destroying stuff.

Society is ageing and its because of consumerism always telling us that we need to grow up and get a job, get responsibilities and get into debt. Contrary to what we really want in life.

[Super Neuro]

As far as I'm concerned the cancellation of the space program was dumb people winning over intelligent people.

The cancellation had to do with the end of the cold war. Do a little research before you blame humanity for the world not being the way you wish.

I don't wish to personally attack you, but when I see people on this forum, a community that benefits the longevity and advancement of the human race, using words like "dumb," it only tells me that perhaps a primer on the Dunning-Kruger effect should be mandatory reading for forum-joiners.

[Layberinthius]

As far as I'm concerned the cancellation of the space program was dumb people winning over intelligent people.

The cancellation had to do with the end of the cold war. Do a little research before you blame humanity for the world not being the way you wish.

"not being the way I wish"? I have hopes and dreams just like every other human being, you are being a prick for saying that to me, I am allowed to have hopes and dreams for society just like every other human being, you are not my judge and jury, fuck you you fucking dickhead.

I see billions of dollars going to the military, I dont see it going to NASA. If I want to blame humanity for requiring a fucking excuse like going to fucking world war before they even bother with exploring and colonizing outer space then I fucking well will swear at you and anyone that I care to.

How delightfully bloodthirsty you are, I'm supposed to be critically accurate about every single god damn fact before you will even consider my world viewpoint am I?, I'm a fucking human being you prick!

I don't wish to personally attack you, but when I see people on this forum, a community that benefits the longevity and advancement of the human race, using words like "dumb," it only tells me that perhaps a primer on the Dunning-Kruger effect should be mandatory reading for forum-joiners.

Showing a lack of compassion and humanity to anyone is a sign of a diseased mind and no diseased mind should be the posterboy or girl of any society which involves the advancement of the human race. There are other factors to humanity besides facts, mathematics and science.

Yes I've seen this effect in college graduates too, and gurus of this or that religion. Maybe you should take my opinions with a grain of salt as with every other opinion thats posted on forums? Would save you time complaining.

[Layberinthius]

Calling someone out about a fact being wrong is as good enough as coming up with a theory of your own. And so therefore because you have proven me wrong on one fact being wrong you must therefore be superior.

Welcome to bizarro world.

[Super Neuro]

Dude, what's your problem? Did my comment bother you to where you had to ruminate on it for an hour before posting a second reply? Relax.

[mikeinnaples]

I just caught this. You were out of line with that comment Super Neuro. For someone not wishing to make a personal attack, you sure did quite a competent job of it.

Friendly advice: evaluate what you write and how it may be percieved before hitting the post button.

Asking what his problem is after an insult like that..... social incompetence? Aspie? Just a Sheldon Cooperism parody?

[mehisa]

You know what the worlds problem is? The ones with money dont see fun in the simple things and listen too much to other peoples opinions, this is a result of schooling and is the result of being stuck in a high school with other stupid kids telling you that this or that sucks, even though they are just jealous.

Nobody plays with go carts anymore, its always SUV to here, SUV to there, there just isnt anyone willing to slalom down the side of a hill anymore. You know what excites me? A wooden dash, I made myself out of a piece of 2x4, a couple of gauges and rack and pinion steering stolen from a Honda.

Or go down the side of a riverside in the middle of a forest. With nothing but a piece of rope to get back up to the other side. And go back down again.

And why hasnt anyone bothered to pick up guerilla seeding? making their own forests instead of always destroying stuff.

Society is ageing and its because of consumerism always telling us that we need to grow up and get a job, get responsibilities and get into debt. Contrary to what we really want in life.

yeah technology has gone too far we dont enjoy simple stuff anymore :(