Golden Bullets and Ruby Slippers

Human technology is approaching a singularity. Scientific knowledge has been increasing at an exponential rate and it is set to explode. When this happens, and it will happen soon, it is difficult to predict what the world will look like because so much will change.

Throughout much of human history technological advances have progressed slowly. However in the last twelve decades they have leaped. Look at what the world looked like in 1892. Animal and wind power were still being used by large segments of the population; powered flight had yet to be achieved. Many of the technological developments that people did have then were recent (like the telegraph): imagine what the world looked like in 1792, 1772, or even 1212. Now that we are almost in 2012 imagine what the world will look like in 2112, 2132, or even 2812.

One development in particular will fuel this and another will catapult it. The first being Artificial Intelligence a.k.a. AI. AI allows thinking, non-human entities to work around the clock on a particular problem, or even come up with their own problems then solve them. The sky is the limit when AI is compelled with our own intelligence.

The second huge leap, the one that will facilitate other huge leaps, is what this author likes to call "Universal Replication" (borrowed from Star Trek I know). Universal Replication will be man's ability to take matter and rearrange it down to the atomic level if not further. We will finally be able to turn lead into gold - hence the title of this article. Consider that many gemstones are already being replicated just not at the atomic level.

Like so many items of today, items of the future will be built on an array of technological achievements. Many items that one would never think of will become "smart". However, smart technology of the future will probably be different than today's. While many items in the future will still be electronic and metallic, many will not be yet will still be "smart". More than likely DNA, or something like DNA, will give items a "signature" and will embed information in much the same way that computer chips do now.

Nanobots (microscopic machines that have two purposes: replicate themselves and accomplish a second purpose) will more than likely be part of, or can assist, Universal Replication. Some nanobots might be metallic but many will probably be "organic" life or carbon based organisms like a virus or bacteria. Organisms that are made of both organic and non-organic material (cybernetic) will probably exist as well.

Coupling all these technologies will do many things, some of which we probably never thought possible. Creating extinct animals, like dinosaurs, will move beyond the realm of science fiction; even, fictional animals could be created. Obviously, greater technology means greater problems so expect those down the road too.

Many of these technologies will have the effect of reducing the cost on almost everything. Consider the cost and availability of books a millennium ago and what they cost now, even though both are still made from trees. Energy weapons will mean you can spend a day at the range for the equivalent of one U.S. dollar.

Technological developments give rise to more and greater technological developments. It is this author's opinion that huge scientific achievements like teleportation and intergalactic space travel are only a few generations away. One thing is for sure, if we eliminate the word "impossible" from our vocabulary then we will get farther then we ever could have dreamed.