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Originally posted by Sushipunk So what about you, Domesticated? Which era, and why?

I feel that we're on the brink of another age which will rival the industrial revolution or the advent of computers. This will perhaps be related to nano technology.

However, I also believe that we're fast reaching a tipping point where we will either completely fuck the planet or somehow manage to save it and return it to some kind of artificially induced homeostasis. Which way this battle swings will be very close.

Therefore, I'd like to live perhaps 400-500 years into the future. Think back to what kind of technology we had in 1609, and then imagine that same level of advancement on top of what we have now.

I envisage a world where nano technology reigns supreme. Self-cleaning clothes, self-powered, battery-free devices and tiny artificial organisms living in our blood and taking up the fight where our own body fails. Our physical bodies will last for huge amounts of time as a result. Quantum computers, matrix-style virtual reality (they already have video game controllers that work by sitting on your temples and 'reading' your thoughts).

In the future, we will have a global network which will be to current day internet what the internet has been to telephones. It will be far more accessible, more useful and more widespread. I firmly believe that most technology will become thought-based and that we will mostly do away with physical buttons and controls. Just by thinking 'what is the capital of Congo?', this 'new internet' will call it up for us, and the sum total of humanity's general knowledge will be at the fingertips of Joe Average all day every day.

I think this will be pretty cool and would like to experience it.

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Originally posted by Domesticated I feel that we're on the brink of another age which will rival the industrial revolution or the advent of computers. This will perhaps be related to nano technology. However, I also believe that we're fast reaching a tipping point where we will either completely fuck the planet or somehow manage to save it and return it to some kind of artificially induced homeostasis. Which way this battle swings will be very close. Therefore, I'd like to live perhaps 400-500 years into the future. Think back to what kind of technology we had in 1609, and then imagine that same level of advancement on top of what we have now. I envisage a world where nano technology reigns supreme. Self-cleaning clothes, self-powered, battery-free devices and tiny artificial organisms living in our blood and taking up the fight where our own body fails. Our physical bodies will last for huge amounts of time as a result. Quantum computers, matrix-style virtual reality (they already have video game controllers that work by sitting on your temples and 'reading' your thoughts). In the future, we will have a global network which will be to current day internet what the internet has been to telephones. It will be far more accessible, more useful and more widespread. I firmly believe that most technology will become thought-based and that we will mostly do away with physical buttons and controls. Just by thinking 'what is the capital of Congo?', this 'new internet' will call it up for us, and the sum total of humanity's general knowledge will be at the fingertips of Joe Average all day every day. I think this will be pretty cool and would like to experience it.

i never pictured you as a hopeless optimist.

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Originally posted by narcism 60's the beatles the anti-war movement feminism the start of space exploration

Same. I would Back to the Future II that shit and buy some sports almanacs, make millions of dollars in bets and own my own casino. All while frying with hippies and snorting blow with disco heads.

60's, 70's or 80's.

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Originally posted by AustralianGQ im a failure with females...i will be the real 40 year old virgin i guarentee you

I'd love to go back and experience the 20's. Most notably for Jazz and the Speakeasies. Fuck yes.

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Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN i bet you wouldnt last 5 seconds 1200 years ago. the only thing that big brain of yours would get you back then is killed

You could very well be right, but the very prospect of meaningful failure is what I yearn for. These days, the only reasonably likely prospects are varying degrees of success--unless I intentionally sabotage myself, which is just too contrived.

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Originally posted by Arbiter You could very well be right, but the very prospect of meaningful failure is what I yearn for. These days, the only reasonably likely prospects are varying degrees of success--unless I intentionally sabotage myself, which is just too contrived.

from a subsistence standpoint you're definitely correct, but since we are so far past that surely there are other opportunities for challenges that give you the option for meaningful failure? i mean, if we're using failure to mean death (as you failed to meet your basic needs for subsistence) perhaps a career that will take you outside the law library in the world's richest nation might be in order?

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Originally posted by Arbiter You could very well be right, but the very prospect of meaningful failure is what I yearn for. These days, the only reasonably likely prospects are varying degrees of success--unless I intentionally sabotage myself, which is just too contrived.

You're overestimating yourself.

If your measure of success is to marry, have children and live without death or major financial hardship, then yes, you are going to be very easily satisfied. If however, your aim is to build a machine that can turn nitrogen into oxygen with no by-products, you are going to face significant challenges and enjoy life on 'hard mode'. Yes, you will not be struggling for survival, but you will still be struggling for something.

Perhaps your yearning for meaningful failure is the result of your inability to set challenges for yourself.

Last edited by Domesticated on Jul-07-2009 at 03:25

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Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN i mean, if we're using failure to mean death (as you failed to meet your basic needs for subsistence) perhaps a career that will take you outside the law library in the world's richest nation might be in order?

Exactly.

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Originally posted by DJ Damerchi Why go back 1200 years when you can worry solely about where to get your next meal in Somalia today? not so romantic anymore is it...

You know, when I lived in Africa I found it fascinating watching the people walk to work. For many of them, it was a few hours by foot but even then they were relatively lucky; after all, they had jobs.

Those were people carrying real burdens. And yet, if you spend just a couple of hours watching them walk you will see more smiles than you would in a thousand rush hours in Washington, DC...

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Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN from a subsistence standpoint you're definitely correct, but since we are so far past that surely there are other opportunities for challenges that give you the option for meaningful failure? i mean, if we're using failure to mean death (as you failed to meet your basic needs for subsistence) perhaps a career that will take you outside the law library in the world's richest nation might be in order?

There are plenty of things I could try to do and probably fail, but I'd still be pefectly fine. At worst, I'd suffer a bruised ego. That may be a failure, but I would hardly call it meaningful...