Right after they come out with pencils that taste like bacon. Or was that bacon that tastes like pencils?
Anyway, another hitherto unposted thought (from inside.com):
IT is NANOPLASTIC TECHNOLOGY
author: rudy
date: January 10, 2001 7:34 PM
message:
Nanoplastic technology basically is the technology of ‘smart materials’. Those of you who are familiar with StarTrek series’ and movies beyond the original series have seen ‘replicator’ technology. In the StarTrek world, whatever you want: steak, martini, new clothing, hull plating, etc is created by transforming ‘waste’ of similiar mass into whatever it is you want… Nanoplastic technology I discuss here DOES NOT involve exotic sci-fi mass-energy conversion…instead, it involves VERY real-world research going on right now. Nanoplastics are ‘intelligently’ configured to form whatever shapes are programmed into its matrix. This work has been going on for sometime as an off-shoot of nanotechnology, but instead of small, micro-robots, you have ‘smart’ materials that will conform to whatever shapes you desire. This can take the form of plates and bowls appearing out of nanoplastic countertops, nanoplastic plates that clean themselves through their matrix, nanoplastics used to form protype models, nanoplastics easily recycled for reuse. Nanoplastics will make outstanding building materials and revolutionize waste management and manufacturing. Let’s go throught the article point by point: IT is not a medical invention - self-explanatory - Its not another ‘insulin pump’ but a general technology that would allow medical products such as syringes and other things to be easily made and recycled with these materials adapted for other medical uses…including sensor nets to warm/cool patients, etc… ‘Ginger’ can easily be assembled—meaning that the box is probably a voice-activated demonstrator unit with sufficient nanoplastic material inside…the material is controlled by some master ‘field’ or %[truncated]
Not necessarily. It could just mean that “IT” has potential to cause damage and injury if it fails. For example, computer-controlled cars are technologically possible, but we aren’t allowed to use them. It could also be a dangerously addictive form of entertainment, though that doesn’t go with the quotes about city infrastructure change.
By the way, is “IT” an acronym or just the pronoun?
Quantum Teleportation Booths. Just make sure a fly is not inside with ya when you push the “go” button
A personal flying machine for under $2k wouldnt be revolutionary becuase there will be so many accidents and deaths … after a few weeks nobody will be allowed to use it within city limits. It will end up a toy that rich people use on their ranches… or an “extreme sports” thing that you can go play with in the Salt Flats in utah for $50 an hour.
Teleportation is the only thing that would impress me… and i don’t see how it could cost less than $2k… and governments would never allow it in the first place - teleportation would instantly cut tax revenues by a humongous margin - it would be the end of borders and tarriffs and taxes. Not gonna happen for a long, long time.
Another thing which would impress me would be a personal quantum computer for home use (under $2k).
The final thing which would impress me would be a “Mr. Fusion” like in Back to the Future 3.
“Doerr also says, a touch ominously, that he had been sure that he wouldn’t see the development of anything in his lifetime as important as the World Wide Web – until he saw IT.”
I really can’t see how any kind of personal flight pack or maglev vehicle could have as much as an impact on civilization as the http://www. Especially if these things never get 10 feet off the ground.
IT - Individual Transportation. It looks like a souped up Razor - not even a floating razor. It makes sense; it’s a consumer version of his recent wheelchair invention.
from looking at the solotrek thing, I dont think its a flying machine (theres another thread in MPSIMS) as the solotrek is said to cost as much as a high end sports car and has lots of expensive computer equipment in it (like retinal scanners) I dont see how they could create something much cheaper and also allow people to create it from a kit.
IT will only work when most people are users, and the more users, the more successful the other users. Each device needs the next nearest device, and the nearer the other device, and so on, the better for each device.
IT will bring together communication by eliminating dependency on satellites and radio towers, and create IT’s own personal wireless connectivity by using each device as a link in the endless chain of personal communication devices that will allow everyone e-mail, internet, cell phone, pager and basic computer functionality. Each device is a receiver and sender and link for everyother device.
How to call a friend in California when you live in New Jersey? Use IT, and your message, picture, voice, text or data, will be carried from one IT to the next, wirelessly, without a provider, without a bill.
IT ups the ante by adding an undefined, almost limitless power supply.
That’s what IT’s all about. That’s what mobilty is in 2001. Mobility of voice, images, data, text, e-mail, etc…beyond information. Beyond the PC and laptop, which ironically, make us less mobile.
I’d have to agree with the Stirling Engine contingent. A small personal power generator for 2 grand, a large power station for 2 gadzillion or whatever. Build a big station and supply cheap power… voila! Instant city. Problems… yes… OPEC would go nuts. So would Exxon, Amocco, Ford, GM…
