which science fiction is most likely to come true in the near future according to you ?
Answers
Answer:
First, a few restrictions.
We live in a universe constrained by the speed of light. There will be no warp drive, no Faster-Than-Light radios.
Travel to the stars will always be hugely expensive and impractical. We may, however, eventually visit and colonize a few of the closer stars.
We will never upload our minds into computers, other living entities, or what have you. That is not how minds work. *
We will never achieve immortality. **
OK, now the good news.
During the next 100,000 years we will colonize the entire Solar System, so far as our bodies can survive in the various environments.
During that period, lifespans will increase, at least for those who can afford it, perhaps as much as several hundred years. We will make great strides in growing replacement organs and curing diseases.
We will eventually move the Earth's orbit further out, as the Sun becomes more luminous. Other acts of Solar rebuilding will also be within our reach.
Technologically, we will develop:
VR that is indistinguishable from reality
Computers that integrate into our own minds
True artificial intelligence. Digital entities that are self aware, even to the extent of being granted personhood.
* I don't know of anyone that claims to really understand the first thing about how our conciousness actually works. If it were an easy problem, I think advances would have been made by now. Instead, this is a question on the level of "Grand Mysteries". However, I think we can say with confidence that our awareness is rooted in the physical brain. This is where our conciousness exists, and I don't think we will ever be able to finesse away this fundamental dependency.
** There is great potential for our physical bodies to last a really long time. Given advances in medicine and technology, and the obvious self-interest involved, this can only continue. However, the brain itself physically ages and becomes less capable of supporting conciousness over time. Other than supportive measures, we have no way of rebuilding or replacing the brain. So, no immortality for us.
First, a few restrictions.
• We live in a universe constrained by the speed of light. There will be no warp drive, no Faster-Than-Light radios.
• Travel to the stars will always be hugely expensive and impractical. We may, however, eventually visit and colonize a few of the closer stars.
• We will never upload our minds into computers, other living entities, or what have you. That is not how minds work. *
• We will never achieve immortality.
OK, now the good news.
During the next 100,000 years we will colonize the entire Solar System, so far as our bodies can survive in the various environments.
• During that period, lifespans will increase, at least for those who can afford it, perhaps as much as several hundred years. We will make great strides in growing replacement organs and curing diseases.
• We will eventually move the Earth's orbit further out, as the Sun becomes more luminous. Other acts of Solar rebuilding will also be within our reach.