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Author Topic:   Technologies' impact on individuals

Foxtaur posted 12-23-98 01:07 AM ET
I just watched a corny X-Files-ish movie called "Duplicates", in which researchers discover how to extract a person's memories, store them on computer, then implant them in another person's brain... so that the second person has none of their original memories, and believes they're the original person.
Now, if the researchers had survived to publish their work , this technology would have a profound impact on society. Especially since the researchers were able to /edit/ the memories stored in the computer... details of how the technology could be applied are left as an exercise for the reader.

So... In SMAC... how will new technologies affect the people?
"Sorry I'm late - but they had a sale on these /darling/ tails and ears in the body-shop. You like?"
"But mom, I already /finished/ school today." "Well, okay, but I expect you to finish college tomorrow."
Slaine posted 12-23-98 01:50 AM ET
I've always been interested in a somewhat similar idea. The concept that memories and thought can be stored in a computer and then transfered to another person. What if the thoughts and memories inclueded the mind. What I mean is while stored the mind is still active learning controling 'living' Then as needed downloaded into a biological entity... That would be an interesting evolution.
Or maybe I spend to much time around computers.
OmniDude posted 12-23-98 09:24 AM ET
The persons would never be identical, even if they were identical twins. Mans personality is made up of so many factors - biological, chemical and whathaveyou -interconnected in ways that defies adequate description (when it comes to mental activity). Add to this the concept of a soul (if you're religious) or free will (if you're not), and you have a mission impossible.
Nayrium posted 12-23-98 02:30 PM ET
Well, I'm not convinced that someone would be different right off the bat. I agree that the person would be different, but that is over time. This would sprout from the Chaos theory. At the exact moment of transfer, the new person would be an infinitely good copy, but as time proceeds, the copy would have different experences then the original had, and thus change over time. It would be slight at first, but the changes would compound as time passes.
Slaine posted 12-24-98 01:06 AM ET
I don't see too much of a problem. I often wonder what will happen as technology and biology come closer together.
Sam Green posted 12-24-98 04:06 AM ET
That's a good question...
I think it will lead to more individuation amongst people, but a homogenization of the over all culture. People will be able to change not only their appearance, but even the function of their bodies (in extreme cases).
I am a firm believer that technology can solve (or be used to solve) virtually any problem or situation that is not completely forced by the laws of nature (and, well, some fringe physicists think that even the laws of nature might be more like guidelines...) I think that, in the not so near future we will see tech that will allow human beings to finally evolve away from the "hunter gatherer" stage to a more city/tech adapted species. Likewise, we will develop tech that will boost an individual's productivity massively (such as therapy that actually works for mental/emotional disturbance) and also increase enjoyment of life by individuals.
Finally, I think we will see lifespans increase to an indefinate length, with people dying either by suicide or accident/foul play. Basically, this is based on the premise that the rate of increase in the estimated average lifespan has been growing rapidly, and, I forsee a period where the average life span will increase by, say, 2 years, every year (if that makes any sense)
Wonderous times.
Sam
chrisk posted 12-24-98 04:36 AM ET
WOW isnt this all very interesting!!?!?!?! GET A LIFE, listen to what you idiots are talking about! You guys remind me of the losers I used to beat up in highschool
KeHaven posted 12-24-98 07:30 AM ET
chrisk : I know there`s something wrong with you , but can`t you go somewhere else and post your non-intelectual messages.
I would suggest kindergarden.
evil_conquerer posted 12-25-98 12:50 PM ET
I beleive that if humans could be transferred to a different body, that change could only be for the best. Consider the idea of having a metal body that would last forever! Or even moving on to the next stage, with bodies not required and humanity is a mass of inter-connected brains (well, okay that's a little too far out).
It would cause some problems, however. Metal bodies (as well as the transfer itself) would probably be extremely expensive, and only the rich/upper class would be able to afford them. Even worse, it would create competition between people who could afford expensive bodies and those who couldn't. Another problem would be overpopulation. If people could live almost forever in metal bodies, then the earth could become massively
overcrowded. Imagine Topeka becoming New York! (Of couse, by the time we had this technology, we probably would be colonizing other planets)
Despite all the drawbacks, I feel that this technology could not and should not be stopped. Progress is unavoidable, and we should go along with it for worse or (usually) for better. The human race will always adapt; that's how we got to where we are today.
Phantasmo posted 12-25-98 04:08 PM ET
I'm not sure I'd want a metal body... I'd rather have one made of glow-in-the-dark plastic.
evil_conquerer posted 12-26-98 08:57 PM ET
That's my point. "Plastic is better than metal!" "Mine's made of duraniam!" "Well, mine's glow-in-the-dark!"
When the major status symbol is the quality of your "suit", those who cannot afford an expensive body would be looked down on in society. Is this what we want?
Army No Va posted 12-27-98 07:05 AM ET
There is a book "Visions" by Michio Kaku that is a pretty realistic/believable analysis of what might be in Computers, Quantum Mech and Biotech and the convergence of the three. It focuses on three periods - 2000-2020, 2020-2050 and 2050-2100.
No, we probably won't be able to transfer human memory/conciousness in that time frame to machine or flesh, but the book is fascinating.
Kaku is a cofounder of the string field theory and is a professor at City College of NY.
Army No Va
DanS posted 03-23-99 01:38 PM ET
Bringing this sci&tech thread to the top.
Shadow1188 posted 04-05-99 01:27 PM ET
I think by the time we have this technoology, we will not only be techonlogicaly advanced but maybe socially advanced aswell. I believe in the future humans will have evolved beyond greed, and petty class differences. IMHO, it would take several millenia(SP?) for us to gwt the tch to do this. All the information in your brain, which actually IS just a bunch of electronic signals, could never be transferred to a computer database. There's just too much. Maybe in the future we might have microchips that can store about 80,000 gigibytes per. But then again, who am I to say what'll happen. Human progress just might be able to pull this off.
geoffwa posted 04-06-99 08:23 AM ET
Mimicing the human mind is a huge task. Copying memories would be complex, because you would also need to copy large sections of 'subconscious' experiences. Two examples would be intution and automation. The brain stores repeated physical tasks, allowing you to complete things like riding a bicycle or typing more quickly. Secondly, there are both the memories we can remember and the subconscious experiences that effect hunches. The gut feelings people experience are based around similar cicumstances that person has expereienced before, basically the memory neurons fire, but they don't fire enough to trigger the memory but they do sway your opinion. This also accounts for the fact that the way you want to do something is coincidentally the only way you know how to.
Hunterseeker posted 04-06-99 03:45 PM ET
Arthur C. Clarke has this sort of vision in his 2001, 2010 and 3001. Minds first transferred to robots and then to free energy. About the social development, humanity doesn't seem to have changed much throughout history, so why should they now? The same bestial instincts: Agressivenes, cheating, survival of the fittest and so on. The ideal human never exists.
Trappist posted 04-06-99 05:52 PM ET
Then again, humans are among the most successful hunter/predators that this planet has ever seen. In trying to get away from our hunter/gatherer past who are we trying to kid? We were animals before we were people and I'd say we need to get more of the animal back into our lives. Break up the cities- return to small communities and learn to live again.
Terbo posted 04-06-99 06:52 PM ET
If I got a new body, it'd be bendy plastic that glows in the dark, flys, and has SPARKLES all over it...

Seriously guys, this IS a pretty weird topic... lighten up a little...
Terbo
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Author	Topic: Technologies' impact on individuals
Foxtaur	posted 12-23-98 01:07 AM ET I just watched a corny X-Files-ish movie called "Duplicates", in which researchers discover how to extract a person's memories, store them on computer, then implant them in another person's brain... so that the second person has none of their original memories, and believes they're the original person. Now, if the researchers had survived to publish their work , this technology would have a profound impact on society. Especially since the researchers were able to /edit/ the memories stored in the computer... details of how the technology could be applied are left as an exercise for the reader. So... In SMAC... how will new technologies affect the people? "Sorry I'm late - but they had a sale on these /darling/ tails and ears in the body-shop. You like?" "But mom, I already /finished/ school today." "Well, okay, but I expect you to finish college tomorrow."
Slaine	posted 12-23-98 01:50 AM ET I've always been interested in a somewhat similar idea. The concept that memories and thought can be stored in a computer and then transfered to another person. What if the thoughts and memories inclueded the mind. What I mean is while stored the mind is still active learning controling 'living' Then as needed downloaded into a biological entity... That would be an interesting evolution. Or maybe I spend to much time around computers.
OmniDude	posted 12-23-98 09:24 AM ET The persons would never be identical, even if they were identical twins. Mans personality is made up of so many factors - biological, chemical and whathaveyou -interconnected in ways that defies adequate description (when it comes to mental activity). Add to this the concept of a soul (if you're religious) or free will (if you're not), and you have a mission impossible.
Nayrium	posted 12-23-98 02:30 PM ET Well, I'm not convinced that someone would be different right off the bat. I agree that the person would be different, but that is over time. This would sprout from the Chaos theory. At the exact moment of transfer, the new person would be an infinitely good copy, but as time proceeds, the copy would have different experences then the original had, and thus change over time. It would be slight at first, but the changes would compound as time passes.
Slaine	posted 12-24-98 01:06 AM ET I don't see too much of a problem. I often wonder what will happen as technology and biology come closer together.
Sam Green	posted 12-24-98 04:06 AM ET That's a good question... I think it will lead to more individuation amongst people, but a homogenization of the over all culture. People will be able to change not only their appearance, but even the function of their bodies (in extreme cases). I am a firm believer that technology can solve (or be used to solve) virtually any problem or situation that is not completely forced by the laws of nature (and, well, some fringe physicists think that even the laws of nature might be more like guidelines...) I think that, in the not so near future we will see tech that will allow human beings to finally evolve away from the "hunter gatherer" stage to a more city/tech adapted species. Likewise, we will develop tech that will boost an individual's productivity massively (such as therapy that actually works for mental/emotional disturbance) and also increase enjoyment of life by individuals. Finally, I think we will see lifespans increase to an indefinate length, with people dying either by suicide or accident/foul play. Basically, this is based on the premise that the rate of increase in the estimated average lifespan has been growing rapidly, and, I forsee a period where the average life span will increase by, say, 2 years, every year (if that makes any sense) Wonderous times. Sam
chrisk	posted 12-24-98 04:36 AM ET WOW isnt this all very interesting!!?!?!?! GET A LIFE, listen to what you idiots are talking about! You guys remind me of the losers I used to beat up in highschool
KeHaven	posted 12-24-98 07:30 AM ET chrisk : I know there`s something wrong with you , but can`t you go somewhere else and post your non-intelectual messages. I would suggest kindergarden.
evil_conquerer	posted 12-25-98 12:50 PM ET I beleive that if humans could be transferred to a different body, that change could only be for the best. Consider the idea of having a metal body that would last forever! Or even moving on to the next stage, with bodies not required and humanity is a mass of inter-connected brains (well, okay that's a little too far out). It would cause some problems, however. Metal bodies (as well as the transfer itself) would probably be extremely expensive, and only the rich/upper class would be able to afford them. Even worse, it would create competition between people who could afford expensive bodies and those who couldn't. Another problem would be overpopulation. If people could live almost forever in metal bodies, then the earth could become massively overcrowded. Imagine Topeka becoming New York! (Of couse, by the time we had this technology, we probably would be colonizing other planets) Despite all the drawbacks, I feel that this technology could not and should not be stopped. Progress is unavoidable, and we should go along with it for worse or (usually) for better. The human race will always adapt; that's how we got to where we are today.
Phantasmo	posted 12-25-98 04:08 PM ET I'm not sure I'd want a metal body... I'd rather have one made of glow-in-the-dark plastic.
evil_conquerer	posted 12-26-98 08:57 PM ET That's my point. "Plastic is better than metal!" "Mine's made of duraniam!" "Well, mine's glow-in-the-dark!" When the major status symbol is the quality of your "suit", those who cannot afford an expensive body would be looked down on in society. Is this what we want?
Army No Va	posted 12-27-98 07:05 AM ET There is a book "Visions" by Michio Kaku that is a pretty realistic/believable analysis of what might be in Computers, Quantum Mech and Biotech and the convergence of the three. It focuses on three periods - 2000-2020, 2020-2050 and 2050-2100. No, we probably won't be able to transfer human memory/conciousness in that time frame to machine or flesh, but the book is fascinating. Kaku is a cofounder of the string field theory and is a professor at City College of NY. Army No Va
DanS	posted 03-23-99 01:38 PM ET Bringing this sci&tech thread to the top.
Shadow1188	posted 04-05-99 01:27 PM ET I think by the time we have this technoology, we will not only be techonlogicaly advanced but maybe socially advanced aswell. I believe in the future humans will have evolved beyond greed, and petty class differences. IMHO, it would take several millenia(SP?) for us to gwt the tch to do this. All the information in your brain, which actually IS just a bunch of electronic signals, could never be transferred to a computer database. There's just too much. Maybe in the future we might have microchips that can store about 80,000 gigibytes per. But then again, who am I to say what'll happen. Human progress just might be able to pull this off.
geoffwa	posted 04-06-99 08:23 AM ET Mimicing the human mind is a huge task. Copying memories would be complex, because you would also need to copy large sections of 'subconscious' experiences. Two examples would be intution and automation. The brain stores repeated physical tasks, allowing you to complete things like riding a bicycle or typing more quickly. Secondly, there are both the memories we can remember and the subconscious experiences that effect hunches. The gut feelings people experience are based around similar cicumstances that person has expereienced before, basically the memory neurons fire, but they don't fire enough to trigger the memory but they do sway your opinion. This also accounts for the fact that the way you want to do something is coincidentally the only way you know how to.
Hunterseeker	posted 04-06-99 03:45 PM ET Arthur C. Clarke has this sort of vision in his 2001, 2010 and 3001. Minds first transferred to robots and then to free energy. About the social development, humanity doesn't seem to have changed much throughout history, so why should they now? The same bestial instincts: Agressivenes, cheating, survival of the fittest and so on. The ideal human never exists.
Trappist	posted 04-06-99 05:52 PM ET Then again, humans are among the most successful hunter/predators that this planet has ever seen. In trying to get away from our hunter/gatherer past who are we trying to kid? We were animals before we were people and I'd say we need to get more of the animal back into our lives. Break up the cities- return to small communities and learn to live again.
Terbo	posted 04-06-99 06:52 PM ET If I got a new body, it'd be bendy plastic that glows in the dark, flys, and has SPARKLES all over it... Seriously guys, this IS a pretty weird topic... lighten up a little... Terbo