Recap

Technology Breakthroughs

Technological trends advisor Charles Ostman discussed both the progress and dangers of nanotechnology and other developments. Nanotech, the ability to manipulate matter at the atomic level, can offer spectacular breakthroughs, but it could also be used as a horrible weapon, he said. For instance, it has the potential to selectively alter materials in a vehicle such as a train, in order to cause harm. The technology could also be utilized to target people with specific genetic markers, he noted.

Yet, the future looks bright with a number of advances heading our way. Here is a timeline of some of the things he sees down the pike:
Within 5-7 years:

Ubiquitously interconnected smart components within cars, homes etc. that are woven into our daily lives.

New energy systems that include alternative fuels and solar for the home.
Within 5-10 years:

An increased ability to enhance the brain's performance and mental faculties through neural physiology.
Within 7-10 years:

Radical breakthroughs in medicine, with smart diagnostic and therapeutic systems running in the body.
Within 20 years:

The harnessing of consciousness leading to such things as remote influencing and empathic conductivity. Gadgets and physical contraptions will become less relevant.

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A Year of Invention

The latest New York Times Magazine (requires free registration) features a series of articles about some of 2005's most fascinating ideas, inventions and concepts. Among them, are a Dutch technology called vOICe, that allows the blind to "see" via sounds, an LCD screen that shows different images depending on the angle, and a privacy device called Babble that transforms office cubicle chatter into "a flow of meaningless mumblings."