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What Will Change Everything?

Started by Miss Anthrope, January 23, 2009, 09:58:15 PM

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Miss Anthrope

January 23, 2009, 09:58:15 PM
Robot sex!

Seriously though, here's a link to an awesome page at edge.com where lots of notable people (scientists and researchers mainly, but some artists and entertainers as well) give their answers to that question:

http://www.edge.org/q2009/q09_index.html
How big is the smallest fish in the pond? You catch one hundred fishes, all
of which are greater than six inches. Does this evidence support the hypothesis
that no fish in the pond is much less than six inches long? Not if your
net can’t catch smaller fish. -Nick Bostrom

PipeBox

#1
January 27, 2009, 05:26:54 AM
"What will change everything?"

Well, let's start small.  A better site layout for edge.org would certainly change my opinion of their webmaster.

But seriously, the biggest thing I can imagine happening would be the discovery of extraterrestrial life.  What would that change?  Nothing.  I expect just as many petty wars, just as much religion, and just as much political bickering.  It'd be an update for the history books, an astounding and humbling affirmation for those who excepted it and/or cared, and a massive but quickly fading blip on the pop culture radar.
If sin may be committed through inaction, God never stopped.

My soul, do not seek eternal life, but exhaust the realm of the possible.
-- Pindar

Tom62

#2
January 27, 2009, 06:52:24 AM
- time machine
- teleportation device
- fast than light drive
- intelligent computers
The universe never did make sense; I suspect it was built on government contract.
Robert A. Heinlein

VanReal

#3
January 27, 2009, 06:56:01 AM
Natural seed propogation becoming the norm, and less poluting fertilizer for dent corn.
In spite of the cost of living, it's still popular. (Kathy Norris)
They say I have ADHD but I think they are full of...oh, look a kitty!! (unknown)

Miss Anthrope

#4
January 27, 2009, 08:51:23 AM
Quote from: "PipeBox""What will change everything?"

Well, let's start small.  A better site layout for edge.org would certainly change my opinion of their webmaster.

But seriously, the biggest thing I can imagine happening would be the discovery of extraterrestrial life.  What would that change?  Nothing.  I expect just as many petty wars, just as much religion, and just as much political bickering.  It'd be an update for the history books, an astounding and humbling affirmation for those who excepted it and/or cared, and a massive but quickly fading blip on the pop culture radar.

Agreed, horrid layout. If i judged sites purely on aesthetics, I probably wouldn't have explored it at all.

E.T.s - My friends and I were actually just talking about this the other night. It probably wouldn't have as huge an impact as people tend to think, like you say.
However, I'd imagine subtle impacts could be pretty significant. For instance, I'm sure some sort of alien-themed religion would start up (um, not counting Scientology) and develop a pretty massive following. I'd also imagine quite a few people would be signficantly affected psychologically, but again, not as many as some probably would expect.
How big is the smallest fish in the pond? You catch one hundred fishes, all
of which are greater than six inches. Does this evidence support the hypothesis
that no fish in the pond is much less than six inches long? Not if your
net can’t catch smaller fish. -Nick Bostrom

Miss Anthrope

#5
January 27, 2009, 09:00:33 AM
Quote from: "Tom62"- time machine
- teleportation device
- fast than light drive
- intelligent computers

yeah, those would definitely change everything! Teleportation alone would drastically hasten our advancement on so many levels.

Quote from: "VanReal"Natural seed propogation becoming the norm, and less poluting fertilizer for dent corn.

Good one. I mean that in two ways: literally, i.e. good call, would definitely have impact, I'd support that and sarcastically(not the mean spirited kind, the "you must be joking" kind), i.e. I doubt "Big Money" will let that happen - of course, I'm not an expert on such matters, so I can't say for sure we never will, but, well...I'm just living up to my namesake (cue audience laugh track and co-star shaking head with smile saying, "Oh, Miss Anthrope, you cynical rascal!")
How big is the smallest fish in the pond? You catch one hundred fishes, all
of which are greater than six inches. Does this evidence support the hypothesis
that no fish in the pond is much less than six inches long? Not if your
net can’t catch smaller fish. -Nick Bostrom

karadan

#6
January 27, 2009, 10:54:52 AM
The discovery of the Higgs Boson.
Interdimensional travel.
The digitization of consciousness.
The sun going nova.
The invention of the chronoscope.

(I would have said E.T. But everyone got there before me.. :) )
QuoteI find it mistifying that in this age of information, some people still deny the scientific history of our existence.

Miss Anthrope

#7
January 27, 2009, 03:32:58 PM
Quote from: "karadan"The discovery of the Higgs Boson.
Interdimensional travel.
The digitization of consciousness.
The sun going nova.
The invention of the chronoscope.

(I would have said E.T. But everyone got there before me.. :) )

Higgs Boson, yes yes!

I noticed you mentioned digitization of consciousness, so I'm curious about your stance on a related concept: Do you think it's possible that we're in/are a simulation, or perhaps even a simulation within a simulation (or even many more "within"s) like Nick Bostrom has said?
How big is the smallest fish in the pond? You catch one hundred fishes, all
of which are greater than six inches. Does this evidence support the hypothesis
that no fish in the pond is much less than six inches long? Not if your
net can’t catch smaller fish. -Nick Bostrom

joeactor

#8
January 27, 2009, 04:12:00 PM
... one word: INTEROCITOR!

Miss Anthrope

#9
January 27, 2009, 04:28:49 PM
Quote from: "joeactor"... one word: INTEROCITOR!


 :lol:
How big is the smallest fish in the pond? You catch one hundred fishes, all
of which are greater than six inches. Does this evidence support the hypothesis
that no fish in the pond is much less than six inches long? Not if your
net can’t catch smaller fish. -Nick Bostrom

karadan

#10
January 27, 2009, 05:32:34 PM
Quote from: "Miss Anthrope"
Quote from: "karadan"The discovery of the Higgs Boson.
Interdimensional travel.
The digitization of consciousness.
The sun going nova.
The invention of the chronoscope.

(I would have said E.T. But everyone got there before me.. :)

I consider that more possible than an all-knowing god.
QuoteI find it mistifying that in this age of information, some people still deny the scientific history of our existence.

Kylyssa

#11
January 27, 2009, 05:55:33 PM
Self-replicating medical nanobots.

Miss Anthrope

#12
January 27, 2009, 06:15:19 PM
Quote from: "karadan"Yes, anything is possible :lol:

Nanotech is one of my favorite "future tech"s.
How big is the smallest fish in the pond? You catch one hundred fishes, all
of which are greater than six inches. Does this evidence support the hypothesis
that no fish in the pond is much less than six inches long? Not if your
net can’t catch smaller fish. -Nick Bostrom

curiosityandthecat

#13
January 27, 2009, 06:25:51 PM
Quote from: "Kylyssa"Self-replicating medical nanobots.

Whenever I think of nanotech I have to look like Homer Simpson thinking about donuts.

Check out The Diamond Age, if you haven't already.  :D
-Curio

karadan

#14
January 27, 2009, 08:58:19 PM
Quote from: "curiosityandthecat"
Quote from: "Kylyssa"Self-replicating medical nanobots.

Whenever I think of nanotech I have to look like Homer Simpson thinking about donuts.

Check out The Diamond Age, if you haven't already.  :shock:
QuoteI find it mistifying that in this age of information, some people still deny the scientific history of our existence.
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