Skip to main content

Back to the future? DARPA scientists are 10 to 20 years ahead of us

What DARPA scientists are working on is 10 to 20 years ahead of the technology that's out in the public domain.


 As the author of a novel about Strangers (both cyborgs and humans) I keep my eyes open for all the new stories regarding cyborgs and the science behind them.

 Today I read this article about cyborg warfare today - here:

 http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/darpa-double-edged-sword-us-military-industrial-complex/6854474

 I will quote just 2 paragraphs because they made me think!

 'Science fiction writers might set that kind of cyborg warfare in a distant future. But as Jacobsen writes, at any given time, what DARPA scientists are working on—especially in the agency's classified programs—is 10 to 20 years ahead of the technology that's out in the public domain.'

 'DARPA's movement is towards coupling man and machine, so putting neuro-prosthetics in the brains of soldiers so that they can have what is called augmented cognition. They can become super-soldiers ... Ultimately [the Pentagon is moving] toward robots taking over the job: self-governing drones, drones that are often called hunter-killer drones.'

 There are two points here that are discussed in my novel.

 1) Edward, the fictional boss of a A&A Robotics, says to his daughter that cyborgs are the present, not the future, and there's nothing to worry about - they are here to help.

 2) The world in the year 2012 is completely unaware of just how much progress we have done in the field of robotics and cyborg.

 I am certainly not an expert in the field but it's poignant that a novel I wrote 3 years ago (and it's almost finished and ready for publication) sums up many issues that will soon touch people around us and not just science fiction authors.

 The question remain unsolved both in my mind and in my novel: will cyborgs ever threaten humanity with their super powers? Will every human being want to be enhanced, implanted, chipped, to compete with the others?

 We have never dealt with all these issues before and thus nobody can really estimate the consequences of unleashing powerful human-machines into our real, every day life.

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dehydrated zucchini, tomatoes and oranges

Hello! This is what I have dehydrated last night: orange, cinnamon apples, garlic courgettes and tomatoes! Yummy! After 3 days on 100% raw I felt great and brimming with energy!  Tonight though, we at dinner at our friends... I had chicken, cooked veggies and melon - now I feel bloated and heavy and even my shoulders ache. Strange...
2 comments
Read more

How to heal from Paronychia (bacterial nail infection) with herbs!

How a friend healed from Paronychia  (bacterial nail infection) with herbs! About a week ago I went to my local supermarket and I noticed that the till assistant had a sling on his bandaged middle finger. I am curious by nature , so I couldn't help asking him what happened to his finger. Carl, that was his name, promptly showed me and my daughter his finger (after taking off bandage and sling of course). To have an idea of what it looked like, have a look at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paronychia It looks painful, doesn't it? He said that when he was watching a football on TV, he didn't realise that his nail-biting had gone a bit over the limit, and he had torn some flesh. His doctor was about to see him in two days, he reassured me, and he probably expected to be given antibiotics to treat the infection. Not happy with what I saw, I suggested a few herbs that could help him earlier than his G.P. appointment. However, once I got hom...
Post a Comment
Read more

Recipe: Chocolate/Carob Pudding

This recipe was sent to me as part of Karen Knowler's newsletters. I tried it and tweaked it to my liking.....it's very good and overly sweet!  Chocolate (Carob) Pudding Ingredients: * 2 avocadoes * 1 cup dates * 1/2 cup raw carob powder or cocoa powder * optional mint syrup   * Water as needed (dates give a hard time to  the  blades if they are not in water) Directions 1) Simply blend all ingredients in a food processor or with a hand blender until the mixture is smooth and creamy. (A blender can’t cope with this almost solid, sticky mixture) 2) Taste test before serving. Add more avocado if you'd like it richer and/or creamier, add more dates for extra sweetness or more carob/cocoa for a stronger chocolate flavour. 3) Serve on its own or with raw ice-cream for the ultimate treat. RAW COACH'S TOP TIPS: * This recipe will keep for about 2-3 days in the fridge. Comment from Franz: this pudding is e...
2 comments
Read more