h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

In this interview, http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/jun/15/iain-banks-the-final-interview
Iain Banks said he's annoyed that his death will cause him to miss new discoveries

"I'd love to see what's going to happen next, what's happening in the oceans of Jupiter's moon, Europa, and what else we'll find out just in our own solar system. And we're not far from being able to analyse the atmospheres of planets around other stars and maybe spotting the signs of life there. There's so much I would have loved to have seen."

What are you looking forward to learning of?

Life on another planet/moon would be amazing. I really don't think we're far from it either.

Other stuff I'm looking forward to aren't so much discoveries as achievements: the first humans to walk on Mars, a probe reaching another solar system, fusion being useful and economically viable.

Most quests are associated with resource discovery, exploitation, colonisation and "terraforming". These quests are funded by taxpayers, capitalism and the spoils system. The biggest discoveries, more like recognition, are to be found closer to home.

I'd much rather see fusion remain uneconomical; the waste energy on its own will cause some global warming. Renewables-wise though, I'm really looking forward to chlorophyll-inspired solar cells. Discovery-wise, I'm looking forward to the light shed on the origin of animals, through better fossils and genetic studies. I'm also fascinated to see how global warming will pan out.

Stem cell treatments, so I can sort my teeth out by just growing a new set.

I for one will welcome our new robot overlords.

Likewise... stem cell treatments, actually probably for my teeth too but mainly to get a new set of optic nerves
But, perhaps, even moreso, the final discovery of the ultimate source of all belly button fluff, its just the kind of serious scientific investigation, that never seems to get funDing these days
Oh, and some kind of brain/computer interface, so you can just wire the brain into the PC, or PDA or whatever such things end up being called

Yeah, maybe it is one of the first then...

Mine also has the name and address of the original owner. I wonder if I'd get a reward for the return of her book 33 years later.

I love finding little things like that in books. Signature, postcards, an old train ticket as a bookmark. It's a fascinating little glimpse into somebody's life in some far-off time and place. I often wonder what became of the people.

Dammit, wrong thread. That's the second time I've done that recently!

>> Oh, and some kind of brain/computer interface, so you can just wire the brain into the PC, or PDA or whatever such things end up being called <<

What's wrong with fingers and keyboards? Sticking wires into the brain would probably end up very messy after the first thunderstorm ... or after wearing nylon clothing ... or simply having a young child pulling that silly hat off your head.

I'd like a discovery in the area of work and efficiency. I can't believe all the stuff humans do is really worthwhile, all that counting and recounting of money, traveling to and from work, writing notes and having them read by more people...I'd like us to discover a way to do away with all that.

Surrogates? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0986263/synopsis

I'm looking forward to more information about the weird life forms on our planet from the deepest, darkest seas.


and possibly the discovery of intelligent life on the internet.

Ooo... I'm thinking a brain computer i interface could be an implanted piece of equipment, that could remotely 'talk' to ones computer devices... no need for cables maan.... actually maybe that wouldn't be such a good idea afterall

I suppose voice recognition software and eyetracking could save people from typing on a keyboard and dragging a mouse. Personally it seems that people will be getting lazier and lazier in the future.

If in the future they managed to develop a PC - brain interface ... it would be great for state security systems ... and why does it have to be one way ... maybe the PC could end up controlling the person.

Maybe I'm just getting old but I don't think I want to spend
too much time thinking about a future I'll never get to see.

Indeed, age comes with two fascinating new realities;
spending a great deal of time remembering and rediscovering
events of the past as if seeing and really understanding them
for the first time and in much the same light discovering new
details about things that were not fully explained or learned
in the first place.

That said, the space/time beyond this mortal coil is itself
called 'the undiscovered country'. I look forward to them
asking for my passport and trying a body search.


~jwf~

jwf you are reaching the point of true enlightenment and zen-ability I can truely recommend a good few hours, folding towels to create the sen-like state necessary to fully find ones inner badgerability and zenability

Before we find intelligent life in 'otterspace', can't we look for some on first?

I look forward to having the mysteries of String Theory and particle physics explained by the opera "Hypermusic," by physicist Lisa Randall
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Randall
and Hector Parra
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CH8WIA/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=1535523722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B004G3DFCM&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=077KMK0DVZGEDQYKTXP6

[Yes, Virginia, physicists do on occasion write operas, though in this case the actual music was written by someone else]

I am glad I will not live long enough to see how global warming/climate change pans out. If you think the world is getting crowded, wait until we have to cram 6 or 7 billion people into an even smaller amount of dry land.

>> fusion being useful and economically viable. <<

Nuclear fission is already useful and economically viable. Energy security and production is not an issue ... the technology is available, the uranium ore is in plentiful supply. So what is it about Homo Sap that lead some to hesitate in installing this technology throughout the world? About 80% of France's energy comes from nuclear power.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_in_France

Will my grand children be ginger?