2040s: space elevator, 'smart' homes, thought-talking, the Singularity

By Dick Pelletier

      

    The fourth of our 5-part series on what to expect as we move towards mid-century and beyond, focuses on four areas that promise radical changes for humanity: the space elevator, 'smart' homes, thought-talking, and the Singularity.

    "Welcome to the Liftport Space Elevator. Our first stop is the Bigelow Resort. We then continue on to the 22,000-mile-high geo-orbit where most of you will board a Virgin hyperspace flight to Moon or Mars. We arrive at geo-orbit in 7 days, so relax in your luxury suite and enjoy the views."

    Although this scenario may sound like a sci-fi movie, developers predict this project will be up-and-running by 2045. The elevator climbs a 62,000-mile nano-ribbon; lifting payloads into space at 120 mph. Inexpensive access to space has encouraged entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Robert Bigelow and others to become pioneers in an estimated multi-trillion dollar private space industry.

    Most homes boast a nano-replicator that provides food, clothing, and many household essentials at little or no cost. An artificial intelligence system maintains security with 'nanodust' which enters the minds of would-be attackers stifling their will to inflict harm. This futuristic intelligence system also creates virtual reality adventures for family members, and projects movies, TV, Internet data, and cell-phone exchanges on walls throughout the house.

    Thought-talking has become more popular than voice-speak in the 2040s. Neuron-decoder implants convert thoughts from another person's mind into clear speech. The system works like this: we simply focus our mind on the person we wish to speak with – from anywhere in the world – and with their approval; we're connected. As we silently thought-talk, we can also allow gazing through each other's eyes. A brief training session enables most people to thought-talk with ease.

    In The Singularity is Near, author Ray Kurzweil predicts that by 2045, machine intelligence will become a billion times more powerful than human intelligence. Advanced robots will build copies of themselves, increasing knowledge with each generation. This will create an information explosion beyond the ability for most humans to comprehend.

    The event, called the Singularity defines a time when machines create technologies faster than our minds can absorb the progress. These machines possess reason and logic similar to us, but they share knowledge much faster than we can. At first, these super-smart 'bots were feared, but J. Storrs Hall, in his book, Beyond AI, claims these fears are unjustified. With brain enhancements, he says, we can connect our minds to the machines and share their intelligence.

    Kurzweil agrees. By swapping neurons for faster nano-made materials; we can connect our brains directly with our silicon cousins. By blending human knowledge and skills with the greater speed, capacity, and information-sharing features of machines, we become more intimate with our creations. Could total human-machine merges be next? Stay tuned.

    The 2040s promise to change how we relate to each other; even our view of life will be challenged as researchers provide humanity with mind-boggling technologies. Can this "magical future" be realized in just 30-to-40 years? Positive futurists believe that it can.

Next week: mid-21st Century and beyond – non-biological self-repairing bodies become the norm; intelligent aliens discovered; nanotech tames the weather; Type-1 Civilization status achieved.

This article appeared in various print publications and on-line blogs. Comments always welcome.